The Shanghai United Family Hospital, a joint venture medical facility offering services for the city's wealthy, will hold a ceremony next Thursday to announce it has received all necessary government approval to open for business.
But hospital officials say they won't be offering medical services at that time and still aren't sure when they will start seeing patients as the facility is still being completed. Officials did say the hospital will have 50 beds and the key focus will be on maternity services.
The joint venture facility is run by Shanghai Changning District Central Hospital and Chindex International Inc, an American company providing western health care products and services in China.
The hospital is Chindex's second facility in China. It set up the Beijing United Family Hospital in 1997.
"We are confident we will attract patients who have a high expectation for medical services. Expatriates and local people with high incomes are our main targets," said a hospital official surnamed Li. Quality service won't come cheap.
 The cost for delivering a baby at the hospital will range from US$6,000 to US$8,000, as a Caesarean section will set one back about US$10,000, according to Li.
Local hospitals charge 2,000 (US$241) to 4,000 yuan for a basic delivery and up to 40,000 yuan for a VIP delivery.