Rudiger Feld communicates with his doctor at Wuxi Mingci Cardiovascular Hospital. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]
When German business executive Rudiger Feld felt his health take a sudden turn for the worse during a trip to Wuxi last month, he feared the worst. Instead, the experience changed his view of medical care in China and his plans for the future.
Feld, who often travels between Germany, China and the United States, experienced mild numbness in his left leg and nighttime tinnitus three months ago. With a family history of heart disease, he grew alarmed when his symptoms grew intense with sudden force in mid-July. "I was panicked — I was in a foreign country and didn't speak the language," he said.
A colleague recommended Wuxi Mingci Cardiovascular Hospital and accompanied him throughout the visit. From the moment he arrived, Feld said his anxiety began to fade. "The environment was calm and comfortable, and the guidance was clear," he said. "What surprised me most was the efficiency — all the necessary tests were completed within hours."
Doctors ruled out a stroke and diagnosed him with lumbar nerve compression, which explained the leg numbness. They also offered acupuncture — a therapy Feld had trusted since childhood. "I grew up with acupuncture and knew it worked well for symptom relief," he said. "I didn't expect Chinese doctors to proactively include it in my care plan. They really understood what I needed."
A doctor measures Rudiger Feld's blood pressure at Wuxi Mingci Cardiovascular Hospital. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]
The case, however, was far from simple. Further tests revealed that his blood pressure had spiked to 212/113, classified as severe hypertension, and he also presented with weight issues and metabolic abnormalities.
Recognizing that a single specialty could not address the complexity of his condition, the hospital activated a multidisciplinary team. Cardiologists, neurologists and endocrinologists collaborated on his case, and a comprehensive diagnostic report was completed the following day.
The thorough, coordinated care left a lasting impression on Feld, who had long avoided extended stays in China due to concerns about access to medical care. Now, he is applying for long-term residency. "I used to worry about health issues and never dared to stay too long," he said. "Now I have no such concerns."
Feld's experience reflects a broader push by Wuxi to improve medical services for international residents. According to the municipal health commission, the city has established a healthcare system for foreign nationals that combines public and private hospitals.
Under the newly released measures to facilitate foreign nationals in Wuxi, the city plans to further enhance hospitals' capacity to serve international patients, aiming to establish more than 100 outpatient clinics equipped to treat them.
"We want to turn a foreign land into a home away from home," a health official said, "and build a strong health foundation for the city's high-level opening-up."
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