Private hospitals in China have been growing at around 20 percent per year in the past 5 years. Obstetrics is ranked as the most popular specialty for private hospitals in China. So why do Chinese choose to spend out of their own pocket to deliver babies in private hospitals?
This little guy is only one hour old - the newest addition to the family of three. His sister named him Niu Dou after her name Niu Niu. His mother Fu Jing chose to have him at a private hospital.
"When I had my first baby. I remember every check up took at least half a day and after all that waiting you get to talk to the doctor for only a few minutes. So this time, my husband insisted I give birth in a private hospital. This is my second C-section so I'm even more worried about complications. It's an investment and I think it's worth it," said Fu.
Private hospitals that used to target expats are seeing fast growth in the number of Chinese patients in recent years, especially in obstetrics. And most of these patients don't have insurance coverage.
Ms Wang is 36 weeks pregnant and has been going to private hospitals for prenatal check-ups. She says she normally wouldnt choose private health care for other illnesses, but having a baby is a milestone in life and she wants the most enjoyable experience possible.
"For a woman, giving birth is a once in a lifetime experience. When you are pregnant, you are always anxious. So you want the best care possible. When Im nervous about something, I want the doctor to explain things to me in details," said expecting mother Wang Xuetao.
Patient flow in private hospital in China has been growing at around 20 percent per year since 2010. The fast growth momentum is attracting more major global players to invest in the field. Analysts say that the industry is now much better positioned for the next stage of growth in China.
