On Oct. 14, the Tongzhou district branch of Beijing Anzhen Hospital hosted a media event to show how Beijing is enhancing its citizens' quality of life through medical advancements and promoting coordinated development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

Beijing Anzhen Hospital's Tongzhou branch features a comprehensive outpatient service center with dedicated accessibility windows, Beijing, Oct. 14, 2024. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

Since its establishment over 40 years ago, Beijing Anzhen Hospital has experienced rapid growth and now ranks among the top in China for the scale and quality of its cardiovascular disease treatments, with clinical capabilities that have reached international standards. Located in the city's eastern Tongzhou district, the construction of this branch not only reflects Beijing's strategy to relieve the city of functions nonessential to its role as the capital and optimize the layout of its sub-center, but also responds to the high-quality development goals set forth by the 19th CPC National Congress in 2017.

The soon-to-open Tongzhou branch of Anzhen Hospital will feature a "smart pharmacy," which is a highlight in its enhanced medical services. This facility is the first in the country to integrate inventory management and dispensing into a fully automated system, using advanced information technology and automated equipment to ensure precise drug dispensation, storage and distribution.

An automated prescription refill robot at work at Beijing Anzhen Hospital's Tongzhou branch, Beijing, Oct. 14, 2024. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

"The automated dispensing machines can complete a prescription in as little as 20 seconds, with patients typically waiting only one to two minutes to receive their medications," said Lin Yang, director of the hospital's pharmacy department. Additionally, the complete process from supplier to patient utilizes robotic closed-loop operations, significantly boosting the efficiency of medical services and ensuring the safety of patient medications.

The Tongzhou branch also breaks away from traditional hospital outpatient environments, with vibrant and lively art murals throughout. "Our concept is to create an 'Art Healing Forest' atmosphere to minimize the psychological stress on patients using our outpatient services," explained Yin Pengduan, head of the outpatient department. Plans are underway to collaborate with local artists to host personalized art exhibitions in the hospital's main hall.

Mural decorations at Beijing Anzhen Hospital's Tongzhou branch, Beijing, Oct. 14, 2024. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

The Tongzhou branch of Beijing Anzhen Hospital is expected to officially begin operations in late October. This will not only provide higher quality medical services to residents of Beijing but also marks a significant step in the city's efforts to promote high-quality, coordinated regional medical development. It will further enhance the overall medical service capacity of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, offering more comprehensive and convenient medical care to those living in the area.