Chronic kidney disease is one of the most common chronic conditions worldwide. While Western medicine plays a central role in management, patients seeking to slow progression, stabilize indicators and improve daily comfort often look beyond conventional protocols. Recently, an overseas patient with long-standing chronic renal insufficiency chose Foshan Chancheng Hospital’s TCM Hospital for a structured course of Traditional Chinese Medicine — and saw measurable improvement within a single treatment cycle.
Searching Across Countries for a Chronic-Disease Management Plan
The patient had been diagnosed with chronic renal insufficiency years earlier. Despite consultations at multiple medical institutions in Singapore and elsewhere, renal function continued to decline. Overseas specialists advised that, to control the disease and delay progression toward end-stage renal failure, dialysis would eventually be needed.
Unwilling to accept dialysis as the only path, the patient began exploring Chinese medicine. Through Fosun Health’s overseas workstation, the patient connected with the TCM team at Foshan Chancheng Hospital.
Remote Consultation, then Travel to Foshan
After Professor Wu Suzhen (Vice President of the hospital) and Director Yang Jian reviewed the patient’s records remotely, they outlined an integrated TCM protocol. The patient gained confidence in the plan and decided to travel to Foshan in early July for in-person care.
A 10-Day Integrated TCM Program
Upon arrival, the hospital’s International Medical Service Department organized an integrated Chinese-Western medicine consultation. Following careful syndrome differentiation by Professor Wu and Director Yang, the team designed a personalized 10-day program combining:
- Oral Chinese herbal medicine — prescribed according to the patient’s individual pattern to support kidney function and metabolic balance.
- External TCM therapies — supporting the internal treatment and addressing symptoms such as waist soreness and fatigue.
After one treatment cycle, key renal indicators had fallen within the range predicted at the start of care. Beyond the laboratory numbers, the patient reported relief from waist soreness, fatigue and poor metabolism, and an overall improvement in quality of life.
Treatment snapshot
- Condition: chronic renal insufficiency / chronic kidney disease
- Prior care: multiple institutions in Singapore and other countries
- Care pathway: remote record review → integrated consultation → 10-day TCM program
- Lead physicians: Professor Wu Suzhen and Director Yang Jian
- Outcome: renal markers improved within predicted range; symptoms eased
Staying for the Next Stage
The patient and accompanying family were satisfied with the outcome. They decided to remain at Foshan Chancheng Hospital for a second-stage consolidation regimen, and scheduled a return visit three months later for the next treatment cycle.
TCM as Part of International Chronic-Disease Care
This case reflects Foshan Chancheng Hospital’s effort to make TCM-based chronic disease management accessible to international patients. By combining pattern-based herbal therapy, external TCM methods and coordinated international-patient services, the team aims to support patients who are seeking complementary options for long-term kidney health.
"For chronic kidney conditions, TCM focuses on supporting the body’s own regulatory capacity — not only numbers, but also how the patient feels day to day."