Country's first one-stop center for Parkinson's disease opens in Shanghai

China's first one-stop care center and medical training base for Parkinson's disease, built by Shanghai Ruijin Hospital and supported by the Branch of Neurologists of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, was launched at the hospital on Saturday, the World Parkinson's Day.

The center boasts cutting-edge technologies and patient-centered services. It features various high-tech facilities specifically used for evaluation and treatment of such patients.

The center also has a strong team consisting of top medical experts in neurology, rehabilitation, imaging, psychology and psychiatry, nutrition and nursing, said the hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Once patients are admitted into the center, they will receive multidisciplinary treatment with tailor-made medication and rehabilitation treatment together with nutrition and psychological guidance.

Parkinson's disease is a common illness among middle-aged and elderly population. The number of patients with Parkinson's disease in China has reached 2.5 million, accounting for half of the global total. Around 100,000 new cases are reported each year.

Chen Shengdi, director of Institute of Neurology at Ruijin Hospital and also vice-chairman of the Branch of Neurologists of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, said the one-stop care center and training base will effectively improve diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease in a more professional, integrated and intelligent manner.

"The model, which is expected to improve the medical services capacity in the field of Parkinson's disease, will be promoted throughout the country step by step," he said.