Vanessa Winters

From the U.S.

IN late 2010, I decided to move to Shenzhen after a new job offer. I first lived in the Shixiabei area and then moved to the OCT area that is close to Window of the World and Happy Valley, and finally settled in Shekou long term.

Many things have changed since I moved to Shenzhen. Metro Line 1 extended all the way to the airport and Line 2 just started operation with very few stations. I recall Line 2’s terminals were Window of the World and Chiwan stations, and it only ran until around 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

During that period of time, I saw a construction boom across the city. As a result, Shenzhen is now catching up to other major cities like Hong Kong, with the city getting more modern, and traveling and living in it becoming more convenient.

What’s commendable about Shenzhen is that its urban planning notion of preserving its beautiful nature while blending modernity, which somehow made me call it home for many years.

During my stay in Shenzhen, I also welcomed my son into this world.

My experiences with China’s health-care system have been wide-ranging: from my first emergency room visit in Beijing after losing my voice, to giving birth in Shenzhen.

I had my son in 2017 and he was born at the Shenzhen Nanshan Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital in Shekou, which was conveniently located a short walk from our apartment. Initially, we planned to choose either the University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Hospital or a facility in Hong Kong, but an emergency cesarean section necessitated a rush to the nearest hospital.

Fortunately, we weren’t the only foreigners in the hospital. The staff members were quite adept at assisting us. Some nurses and doctors spoke English and most signs had been translated, which greatly eased our navigation. The surgical procedure was performed in a modern and clean operating room by an exceptional medical team.

Right after the birth, as my son was born premature, he was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and I had to stay for recovery. The care we received during our monthlong hospital stay was remarkable, ensuring both my son and I were well before discharge. Once home, a community health worker made weekly visits for a month.

The cost aspect often surprised my friends and relatives in the United States. The expenses for my surgery and my son’s NICU stay totaled about 21,000 yuan (US$2,917), far more affordable than the average U.S. costs even with insurance.