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To sustain a high-quality service, "we will limit the number of members to fewer than 1,000 in the future", he said.

"For upscale or luxurious goods or services, scale is important but not crucial," he said.

Before launching the club, Ciming had more than 70 outlets with more than 6,000 employees in cities around the country, providing health checkup packages. Most cost less than 1,000 yuan.

Unlike ordinary services, "the club model serves a relatively small number of customers who are rich and heath savvy", he said.

In the club package, new items such as the heavy metal screening have been integrated to help customers handle emerging health challenges including pollution, Chai Jing added.

In addition, cancer and cardiovascular disease screening services are also highlighted, she said.

According to Hu Bo, the huge amount of data saved from customers' health records over the past 10 years helped launch new, targeted services, he said.

"New methods such as function medicine and natural therapy have also been brought in mainly from overseas," he added.

Like Ciming, China's private health businesses have been exploring new opportunities stemming from the rising demand for high-quality and more customer-oriented health services.

A flagship healthcare center operated by Ikang Guobin Healthcare Group opened at the LG Twin Towers in Beijing late last year.

According to Zhang Ligang, CEO of Ikang Guobin Healthcare Group, international medical consultant services, cancer screening, dental care and a Sino-US cardio center will be the major services at the new center.

In the next three to five years, the group will build more high-end medical service centers in other cities, he said.