By Sitaram Mewati — Xiamen, China
In a remarkable display of medical innovation and international collaboration, Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital, affiliated with Xiamen University, is emerging as one of the world’s most advanced centres for cardiac care. The hospital is recognised as a National Regional Medical Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and serves as a key sub-centre of China’s National Clinical Research Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, treating complex cardiac conditions with cutting-edge technology.
I visited the sprawling, state-of-the-art facility on 14th March 2026, along with fellow journalists from around the world, and it was a mesmerising experience to witness the hospital’s infrastructure and patient-centric operations. With 600 beds currently in use, the hospital is set to expand by another 400 beds on the same premises, according to Professor Wang Yan, hospital president, who said the expansion will help meet rising cardiac care demands across Asia and beyond.
Professor Wang also highlighted the hospital’s pioneering use of AI-assisted patient care: “For the past year, we have been using AI to capture patient symptoms automatically. We don’t type symptoms manually; instead, the system listens to the patient’s conversation and records it. Patients simply enter their name at an automated token counter and are guided to the concerned doctor.” In addition, the hospital employs robotic-assisted cardiac interventions, enabling precise, minimally invasive procedures, some guided remotely, improving outcomes and reducing recovery time.
A proud highlight for India is the contribution of Indian doctors at Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital. I met twins Dr. Sooryanarayan Balasubramani and Dr. Lakshminarayan Balasubramani from Chennai, who are integral members of the cardiac team. Their roles in advanced AI-assisted and robotic procedures underscore the growing India–China collaboration in healthcare, showcasing Indian expertise on a global stage and fostering both cultural and professional exchange. The hospital also hosts doctors from several other countries, making it a truly international medical hub.
A proud highlight for India is the contribution of Indian doctors at Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital. I met twins Dr. Sooryanarayan Balasubramani and Dr. Lakshminarayan Balasubramani from Chennai, who are integral members of the cardiac team. “It is an honour to represent India at such a cutting-edge facility,” said Dr. Lakshminarayan. “We are proud to contribute to advanced cardiac care using AI and robotic technology,” added Dr. Sooryanarayan. Their roles underscore the growing India–China collaboration in healthcare, showcasing Indian expertise on a global stage and fostering both cultural and professional exchange. The hospital also hosts doctors from several other countries, making it a truly international medical hub.
The hospital specialises in coronary artery disease, structural heart disease, arrhythmia, heart failure, and hypertension, with dedicated sub-specialty units such as the Chest Pain Center, Heart Failure Center, and Atrial Fibrillation Center. From AI-driven patient management to robotic surgery and international knowledge transfer, Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital continues to set benchmarks in cardiovascular care, research, and training, serving as a model of innovation, global cooperation, and excellence.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
