Beijing hospital blazes trail for treatment of rare diseases

The leading hospital in China's National Collaboration Network for Rare Diseases has been spearheading measures to increase the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment.

In recent times, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) has upgraded the diagnostic and treatment model for rare diseases, pursued scientific research and innovation, expanded international cooperation, and supported the development of China's rare disease prevention and treatment security system.

Peking Union has developed a multidisciplinary collaborative model for rare diseases that covers all clinical units, including outpatient clinics, inpatient wards and consultations. This "closed-loop" diagnostic pathway reduces the average time needed for diagnosis from four years to four weeks.

To spare patients unnecessary hospital visits, Peking Union has established the Joint Clinic for Rare Diseases to provide a "one-stop solution" for those in need of care. Patients can be referred to multiple specialist departments as required on the day of consultation while genetic counsellors are available to interpret specialist reports in real time. Last year, the clinic treated more than 21,000 rare disease patients, representing a year-on-year increase of nearly 20 percent.