Shanghai WeDoctor Internet Hospital and the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University Launch May Large-Scale Cloud-Based Free Clinic Campaign

Recently, to meet patients’ healthcare needs during the pandemic, Shanghai Weiyi Hospital Internet Hospital (hereinafter referred to as “Shanghai Weiyi Internet Hospital”), following its May obstetrics and gynecology specialist free clinic campaign that brought together experts, has joined forces with the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University to launch the “Cloud Free Clinic and Science Popularization Month” initiative. By adding a special session dedicated to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, the effort further strengthens free clinic activities in Shanghai and helps keep healthcare access channels open.

Led by Wang Hongyang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Chief Physician and Professor in the Department of Oncology (Teaching and Research Section of Oncology) at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, this event featured participation from multidisciplinary experts at the same hospital. The experts provided online “face-to-face” consultations to answer patients’ questions and offered health education and medical guidance to the general public.

It is reported that the current “Cloud-Based Free Clinic” initiative will be conducted simultaneously through two channels: free clinic services via an internet hospital and live video streaming. The online free clinic via the internet hospital was launched on May 2, involving 23 medical specialties and 75 experts who provided free registration, medical consultations, and follow-up services to over 1,000 patients. The live streaming sessions, totaling 10 episodes, commenced on May 11; viewers can watch the broadcasts by following the “WeDoctor Shanghai” WeChat Channels account. For the online free clinic, users may access the “WeDoctor” app or follow the “WeDoctor Shanghai” official WeChat account, and initiate online consultations with available experts through the “Shanghai Medical Insurance and Emergency Medication Platform.” This service will remain available until May 31.

“WeDoctor Shanghai” adopted a “science popularization + free clinic” format for its online live video broadcasts, during which experts explained disease prevention and control knowledge, answered patients’ online inquiries, and summarized common issues for patient education. On the afternoon of May 11, the inaugural broadcast of the “Third Hospital of Naval Medical University Special Session,” themed “Hyperuricemia That Cannot Be Ignored,” featured Professor Xu Chenggang, Director of the Nephrology Department, Chief Physician, and Professor at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, leading his team on camera. The session attracted nearly 5,000 viewers who watched and consulted online. Addressing home care for kidney disease patients during the epidemic, Professor Xu provided detailed guidance on dietary management, exercise control, and medication precautions, while urging the public to enhance health awareness and avoid unhealthy habits that could trigger or exacerbate the condition.

“Cloud-Based Free Clinic and Science Popularization Month” Live Broadcast Schedule (Subject to Actual Conditions)

This “Cloud Free Clinic and Science Popularization Month” campaign brings together numerous experts from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University. In addition to Academician Wang Hongyang, other leading specialists from various disciplines will appear in live-streamed sessions to provide face-to-face consultations and answer patients’ questions. These include Liu Hui, Vice President of the hospital, Chief Physician, and Professor; Jiang Xiaoqing, Chief Physician of the First Department of Biliary Tract Surgery and Professor; and Wang Zhiwei, Director of the Orthopedics Department, Chief Physician, and Professor. Meanwhile, relevant experts will sequentially join the free clinic section on the WeDoctor platform to offer discounted consultation services to patients in need.

It is reported that, in addition to experts from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, patients can also access free clinical consultation services provided by more large-scale hospitals and renowned specialists through the Shanghai WeDoctor Internet Hospital. By accessing the “Free Clinic Zone” via the “Shanghai Medical Insurance and Emergency Medicine Platform” on the “WeDoctor” app or the “WeDoctor Shanghai” WeChat official account, patients can select doctors specializing in their specific conditions for free consultations based on medical departments. Meanwhile, patients can also use the Shanghai WeDoctor Internet Hospital for follow-up visits and prescription purchases covered by medical insurance. Currently, the Shanghai WeDoctor Internet Hospital has enabled online medical insurance payments across the entire city, establishing a comprehensive service chain that includes online follow-up visits, medical insurance payment, prescription renewal and medication purchase, and home delivery of medicines.

“Given the continued stabilization of Shanghai’s epidemic prevention and control situation, and the gradual release of a large backlog of non-urgent medical needs, WeDoctor Internet Hospital in Shanghai will continue to launch large-scale free clinic campaigns. By collaborating with more major hospitals, key departments, and leading specialists in Shanghai, we will invite experts from high-demand specialties to join our platform and provide free consultation services, thereby alleviating pressure on offline outpatient clinics,” said Zhang Yingfu, head of WeDoctor Internet Hospital in Shanghai. He further stated that WeDoctor Internet Hospital in Shanghai will fully leverage its strengths in allocating high-quality medical resources and precisely matching patient needs. In addition to meeting the healthcare demands of local patients in Shanghai, it will facilitate nationwide access to top-tier specialists in Shanghai for “precise” medical consultations, effectively serving as an online triage system to maximize the utility of high-quality medical resources.

Currently, Shanghai WeDoctor Internet Hospital is undergoing adaptive upgrades and iterations of its routine functions. Users in Shanghai can quickly access the “Shanghai Outpatient Hall” by opening the “WeDoctor” app, where they can search for hospitals, departments, doctors, or conditions to select an appropriate physician for real-time online consultations. For those wishing to use medical insurance, after activating their electronic medical insurance certificate, they can complete follow-up visit information and upload a valid prescription issued within the past two months to purchase medications through online covered follow-up visits. During the pandemic, the platform also provides free home delivery services for medications.

It is reported that WeDoctor, the largest digital healthcare service platform in China, originated in Shanghai. Over the years, it has accumulated extensive high-quality medical resources both in Shanghai and nationwide. Currently, more than 20,000 medical experts from Shanghai have joined the platform, with over 70% holding the title of Associate Chief Physician or above, and more than 68% coming from Grade A tertiary hospitals. The platform has connected with 156 hospitals in Shanghai, covering over 90% of the city’s tertiary hospitals. Moving forward, through the Shanghai WeDoctor Internet Hospital, patients will gain more convenient access to medical services provided by experts from Grade A tertiary hospitals and enjoy higher reimbursement rates under medical insurance. Meanwhile, leveraging WeDoctor’s mature “Cloud Pharmacy” drug supply system, the internet hospital offers a comprehensive formulary, ensuring adequate provision for both routine and specialized medication needs of diverse patient groups.