Province Enhances Regulation of Foreign Medical Practitioners

  

Source: OT-Team(G), 健康报

The Hainan Provincial Health Commission has officially released the Implementation Rules for the Recognition of Foreign Medical and Nursing Skills in the Hainan Free Trade Port.

According to the newly issued rules, foreign medical practitioners—defined as physicians with legal medical licenses from overseas and nurses qualified to practice nursing abroad—are permitted to work in medical institutions within the Hainan Free Trade Port if invited or employed. Their scope of work includes public health, clinical diagnosis and treatment, and nursing services.

The rules introduce a formal skill recognition system for foreign medical personnel. The Hainan Provincial Health Commission is the designated recognition authority, and each recognition is valid for three years. Upon expiration, the inviting or employing medical institution may apply for renewal through the Commission's administrative approval office. If approved, the foreign medical personnel may continue to work in the Port for another term of up to three years.

The Commission is required to make a decision on each application within 20 working days from the date of acceptance. Those who pass the skill assessment will be issued a "Hainan Free Trade Port Overseas Personnel Skills Recognition Certificate," which will specify their permitted practice areas. For foreign physicians, these areas may include public health, clinical medicine, dentistry, and traditional Chinese medicine. For foreign nurses, recognized fields include clinical nursing, preventive healthcare, and nursing management.

Certified foreign medical professionals will enjoy the same rights as their local counterparts when working within their designated scope of practice and clinical authority.

The new regulations also stress the responsibility of medical institutions that invite or employ foreign healthcare personnel to establish professional service credit records. These records should detail the certified individual's basic information, achievements, commendable conduct, and any misconduct. Incidents such as regulatory violations, complaints, or administrative penalties must be recorded as negative behavior in the individual's professional credit file.

With the implementation of this new set of rules, the Interim Implementation Rules for the Recognition of Foreign Medical Skills in the Hainan Free Trade Port, which had been in effect for four years, are now officially repealed.