Beijing to improve foreign language service in hospital

BEIJING -- Major public medical institutions in Beijing will take measures to improve foreign language services in hospital, the Beijing Daily reported Tuesday.

Medical services, including guidance, consultation, registration and all department signs, must have translations to help foreigners see doctors, according to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning Monday.

In addition, the capital's emergency calls will also be able to transfer to a foreign language service. When foreigners dial emergency number 120 or 999, emergency centers will immediately access another line for translation.

The 999 Emergency Center has cooperated with Beijing Language and Culture University on training foreign language telephone operators, and established a multilingual translation team to transfer calls.

The health commission plans to create a medical foreign-language speaking talent pool, and to strengthen language training with universities and institutions. It has launched Japanese, French and IELTS training programs, as well as online classes.

As an international metropolis, Beijing received nearly 1.2 million inbound tourists in the first four months of the year.