Sanford Health opens pediatric clinic in Kunming, China

Sanford Health has opened a pediatric clinic in Kunming, China, as part of its International Clinics initiative. This quickly growing area of China has a significant need for health care, particularly with children.

For this clinic, Sanford collaborated with YMCI Calmette Medical Investment & Management Company, Ltd., a state-owned company of the Yunnan Provincial government. YMCI Calmette currently operates the non-profit First Hospital of Kunming, which was established in 1914 and is rated as one of the top-100 hospitals in China. YMCI Calmette also developed a new 1,100-bed hospital complex in the northern part of Kunming that includes the new Sanford International Clinics location.

The new pediatric clinic includes 14 exams rooms, six treatment rooms, an education and training room and general office space.  The goals of the pediatric clinic include shifting the focus of care from acute illness to health and wellness, incorporating evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines into clinical care and creating workflows that increase efficiency, enhance patient safety and improve patient satisfaction, all while serving the pediatric health needs of a rapidly growing city.

“This area of Kunming is a perfect fit for our International Clinics initiative,” said Jim Slack, Sanford Health vice president of Sanford International Clinics.  “This partnership with YMCI Calmette, its work to build a state-of-the-art hospital and the growing population of Kunming all fit together with what we hope to accomplish.”

With a population that surpasses 6 million, Kunming is the political, economic, communications and cultural hub of Yunnan and the seat of the provincial government. The pediatric clinic is two stories and 18,000 square feet with the capacity to hold up to 10 primary care pediatric physicians. YMCI Calmette may also utilize the clinic for rotating pediatric sub-specialists.

“We’re pleased to work with Sanford to provide care to children in this region of China,” said Li Li, M.D., First Hospital of Kunming president and YMCI Calmette general manager. “This partnership and new clinic will greatly benefit thousands of children and families.”

YMCI Calmette will own the pediatric clinic, and Sanford International Clinics will manage the day-to-day operation as well as provision of medical services. The children’s clinic will also have connection to Sanford Health’s extensive clinical, research and administrative expertise in South Dakota.

The connection to Kunming and YMCI Calmette was made possible through Zhiguang Guo, Ph.D., a research scientist with Sanford who previously worked with YMCI Calmette physicians.

In addition to the planned clinic for Kunming, China, Sanford International Clinics has opened facilities domestically in Oklahoma, California and Oregon. Internationally, Sanford has partnered with the government of Ghana, Africa, to build as many as 300 clinics in that nation. Sanford also is pursuing projects in Mexico and evaluating several other locations worldwide.

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