(Yicai) April 30 -- Guangzhou has released multiple new policy measures to encourage and support the development of services related to foreign individuals coming to the southern Chinese city to receive medical care, health care, and rehabilitation treatment.

The Guangzhou International Medical Tourism Service Center, one of 12 measures unveiled by the local health commission at a launch ceremony yesterday, will provide foreigners who are interested in receiving medical services in the city with visa assistance and remote pre-service consultation before arrival, in addition to translation, accommodation, and meal services during their stay, as well as post-operation rehabilitation and remote follow-up services after leaving.

Other policy measures include focusing on supporting 17 pilot international medical institutions in Guangzhou to form global medical teams, building a high-quality, all-process, foreign-related service system, and supporting foreign-owned hospitals to bring in renowned international medical brands to provide services.

The center will focus on integrating Guangzhou's high-quality medical resources, unique cultural tourism, and cross-border commercial insurance to create an offering that integrates medical care, rehabilitation, and tourism, said General Manager Wu Chen.

In addition, the new policies highlighted facilitating the multi-site practice of medical professionals from abroad and Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan in Guangzhou, as well as exploring the recognition of overseas medical qualifications to attract top medical talents to local institutions.

The number of foreigners seeking medical treatment in Guangzhou jumped more than 20 percent last year from the previous year, according to data released at the ceremony. International medical tourism is becoming a new growth point for the city's service sector.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Martin Kadiev