All foreigners 18 years or older must pass a physical examination to obtain a visa to reside in China. Erik and I assumed this was so that we don’t bring any communicable diseases into the country, which is kind of funny since recently two of the world’s biggest scourges – SARS and Avian Flu – have originated in China. While one may undergo the required battery of tests anywhere, my husband urged me to do it on our house-hunting trip at a center in Beijing because it would be “quick and easy.”
I learned that “quick” and “easy” were relative terms. Vivian, assigned by our moving company to escort me through the process, picked me up in a mini van at 8:30 am to make the one-hour drive to a medical clinic, located near the Summer Palace. We exited the car, approached the directional sign and arrow that read, “Physical Examination.” The words following had been removed, but “for aliens” was still clearly legible. Did someone amend the sign because we foreigners might be upset at being put in the same category as Martians? If so, why not finish the job?
We entered a large, non descript hall and Vivien approached a desk to obtain the requisite paperwork. I completed three pages of questions before approaching the first station for a blood test. Other handlers milled around with their clients and a few brave souls negotiated the process alone. The nurses and doctors spoke no English, but Vivien explained that I would need to visit each of about a half dozen stations where doctors would check me for various things and then provide a chop on my paperwork.
The first stop was for a blood test; it was all very efficient and clean. Next, I had a chuckle as I entered the chest x-ray station. My eyes surveyed the room looking for dressing rooms and hospital gowns. This was just before a nurse escorted me to the x-ray machine, handed me a protective skirt, and motioned for me to wrap it around my pelvic area. The technician proceeded to take the x-ray while I was fully clothed and the nurse was still at my side.
Any doubt that the chest x-ray experience was due to modesty was erased when I entered the next station for an EKG. The door remained open and the attending nurse motioned for me to unbutton my blouse. As soon as the last button was undone, she threw open my blouse, pulled up my bra, and began attaching wires to my chest and body. One more chop.
At the final station, a doctor reviewed all my chops and indicated that I was done. The whole process took 20 minutes – definitely quick – and then we went back to the car for the long ride to town. I wasn’t worried about passing, but it was a relief to receive my very formal health certificate confirming eligibility to live in the People’s Republic of China. One more hurdle passed on our journey to become residents of Beijing.