Zhoushan in East China's Zhejiang province has strengthened access to high-quality healthcare through cross-regional partnerships, allowing residents to receive advanced treatment locally without traveling to major cities.

In recent years, the city has built a coordinated medical network linking five municipal hospitals with six provincial-level institutions. One example is the cooperation between Zhoushan Hospital and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, which began in 2023 and has expanded from four pilot departments to 19 specialties.

Patients have directly benefited from the arrangement. A 67-year-old liver cancer patient, initially advised to seek treatment in Shanghai or Hangzhou, instead received a tailored plan locally with regular consultations from experts. His condition has since stabilized beyond initial expectations. In emergency cases, remote consultation systems allow rapid coordination. Zhang Xiaodong from Zhoushan Hospital cited a critical pulmonary embolism case in which specialists provided real-time guidance, leading to a successful surgery.

The collaboration follows a structured model combining regular in-person clinics, on-demand visits, and remote consultations. Each week, several provincial experts provide services in Zhoushan, contributing to more than 14,600 outpatient visits and over 1,700 surgeries, with complex procedures accounting for the majority.

Zhoushan Hospital is also working to strengthen its emergency response capacity, integrating air, sea, and land rescue systems and conducting regular drills. Since implementation, 35 air rescue missions have been carried out.

Meanwhile, talent development has accelerated through joint training and recruitment programs, fostering a growing pool of local specialists. Across Zhoushan, similar partnerships have introduced new technologies and expanded specialist services, forming a citywide network that improves healthcare accessibility and supports long-term system development.