Nanjing First Hospital

About

Nanjing First Hospital is a major comprehensive teaching hospital in Nanjing, affiliated with Nanjing Medical University. It is particularly recognized for its cardiovascular medicine and surgery program, which is one of the leading heart centers in Jiangsu Province and has national-level recognition. The hospital provides full tertiary medical and surgical services and serves as both a clinical training site and a referral center for Nanjing and the surrounding region.

History & scale

Founded in 1936, the hospital has a history spanning 90 years — established in Nanjing during the Republican era when the city was the national capital. It operates approximately 2,000 inpatient beds and has been extensively modernized. Its cardiovascular center is housed in a dedicated facility with advanced catheterization labs, hybrid operating rooms, and cardiac imaging capabilities.

Star specialties

The hospital's flagship is its cardiovascular program — interventional cardiology (coronary intervention, structural heart disease, transcatheter aortic valve replacement/TAVR), electrophysiology (atrial fibrillation ablation, device implantation), and cardiac surgery (CABG, valve surgery, aortic surgery) at high volume with national-level recognition. Vascular surgery manages aortic and peripheral vascular disease. Other strong departments include orthopedics (joint replacement, spine, sports medicine), neurosurgery, general surgery (minimally invasive and oncological), gastroenterology (advanced endoscopy, ERCP), respiratory medicine, and emergency and critical care. The hospital also has an organ transplantation program.

Achievements & recognition

As a Grade A Class A (三甲) hospital and teaching hospital of Nanjing Medical University, the institution's cardiovascular program holds national key clinical specialty designation. Multiple other departments hold provincial key specialty status. The hospital is a core training site for medical students, residents, and cardiovascular fellows.

International services

The hospital has some international patient capacity, particularly through its cardiovascular program — cardiac care is a field where international patients may specifically seek out centers of excellence. Some senior cardiologists and cardiac surgeons have international training and publication experience and can conduct consultations in English. An international/VIP clinic provides coordination support. Nanjing has a significant expatriate community and good international flight connections. International patients should contact the cardiovascular center or international clinic in advance.

Why choose this hospital

For international patients, Nanjing First Hospital is a strong choice for cardiovascular care in eastern China outside of Shanghai. Its heart program rivals those at larger, more famous hospitals in terms of procedural volume and technical capability, but with potentially shorter wait times and lower costs than Shanghai institutions. For patients needing coronary intervention, arrhythmia treatment, or cardiac surgery, it offers genuine excellence in a city with rich historical and cultural amenities.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Nanjing First Hospital located?

Nanjing First Hospital is located in Nanjing, China.

Is Nanjing First Hospital a reputable hospital?

Nanjing First Hospital is a Class III-A hospital — the highest tier in China's grading system, held by only about 5% of hospitals nationwide.

Can international patients visit Nanjing First Hospital?

Yes. International patients are advised to contact the hospital ahead of the visit to confirm appointment procedures and language support (+86-25-52271111).

Explore more