International family with medical team at Beijing Jingdu Children's Hospital International Medical Department

The family with the oral and maxillofacial surgery team at Jingdu's International Medical Department

A Cross-Border Entrustment

Recently, the International Medical Department of Beijing Jingdu Children's Hospital received a heartfelt thank-you letter from the family of an overseas pediatric patient. The parents had traveled a long distance to bring their baby to China for treatment, and they put into words the reassurance and gratitude they felt throughout the entire journey — a sincere acknowledgment of the hospital's clinical expertise and warm service.

The child was diagnosed with a unilateral third-degree cleft lip, one of the more severe forms of cleft lip and palate. Because of the complexity, the family was especially cautious in choosing where to receive care.

What is cleft lip? Commonly known as "harelip," cleft lip is a congenital split in the upper lip. It is the most common congenital anomaly of the oral and maxillofacial region. Based on the location and extent of the cleft, it is classified into three degrees:
  • First-degree: only the red part of the lip (vermilion) is split.
  • Second-degree: the cleft extends beyond the vermilion but does not reach the base of the nose.
  • Third-degree: the cleft runs from the vermilion all the way to the nasal floor. This is also called a complete cleft lip.
First- and second-degree clefts are incomplete cleft lips; third-degree is a complete cleft lip.

For a complete cleft lip such as a unilateral third-degree cleft, surgical repair is part of a long-term, multidisciplinary "systemic project." It requires careful planning and collaboration across specialties, not a single operation alone.

Crossing Oceans for Professional Trust

After consulting multiple doctors abroad and comparing treatment plans, the family ultimately chose to travel to China for care. The parents openly shared that they had previously had unsatisfactory medical experiences in their home country, which had left them deeply distrustful of healthcare. Arriving in a foreign land, they felt nervous, anxious, and even harbored misunderstandings and concerns.

After extensive research, they came to the International Department of Beijing Jingdu Children's Hospital. Throughout the hospitalization, Dr. Jin Xiaoju and Dr. Xie Wenjun of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery team were responsible for the child's care. They were thorough, gentle, patient in answering every question, and always placed the child's health at the center of every decision. Their professional and rigorous approach gradually dissolved all of the family's unease.

Doctor explaining treatment details to the international family

The doctor patiently discusses diagnosis and treatment details with the family

Companionship at Every Step

Unfamiliar surroundings, language differences, and the natural anxiety of being parents made the experience emotionally taxing for the family. Colleagues from the hospital's International Business Department accompanied and reassured them throughout, providing continuous encouragement and support to help the parents stay calm.

From the attending physicians and nursing team to logistics and administrative staff, every member of the hospital team remained patient and kind, carefully attending to the needs of both the parents and the baby, and resolving the many practical challenges of receiving medical care in a foreign country.

Patient family and surgical team together after recovery

The family and surgical care team after a successful recovery

Borderless Care Earns International Recognition

Today, the baby has recovered smoothly. The family sincerely feels that choosing to come to China was absolutely the right decision. In their letter, written with deep emotion, they praised the medical team for its outstanding professionalism and kindness. Every word carried the weight of cross-border trust.

"The clinical system is meticulous and comprehensive, and the experience far exceeded our expectations."

— Excerpt from the family's thank-you letter

This single medical journey reflects the comprehensive strength of the hospital's International Department — from clinical diagnosis and surgical planning to human-centered care.

Compassion Without Borders: Beijing Jingdu Children's Hospital International Medical Department continues to build a warm service system tailored to international patients, combining professional treatment with humanistic care, delivered with equality, inclusiveness, and attention to detail. To date, the International Medical Department has successfully treated hundreds of complex, difficult, and recurrent severe pediatric cases from many countries, earning wide recognition from patients and families around the world.
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