Hubei released China's first pricing program for medical services with brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies this week, accelerating the cutting-edge sci-tech's pace entering people's livelihood.
The Healthcare Security Administration of Hubei Province set the maximum prices for the implantation and removal of an invasive BCI implant at 6,552 yuan (about 899.7 U.S. dollars) and 3,139 yuan respectively, and the highest price for a non-invasive BCI adaptation service at 966 yuan.
The BCI technologies are bringing revolutionary changes in the treatments of many patients, according to Professor Jiang Xiaobing with the neurosurgery department under the Union Hospital affiliated to the Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
"For patients with hemiplegia, blindness, or aphasia, we can use BCIs to restore some of their physiological functions. And we can also use BCI technologies to treat patients with Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, or Alzheimer's disease. And currently we don't have very effective therapies to cope with these diseases. So BCIs are bringing hopes for these patients," said Jiang.
"The next three to five years are a critical period in our development of BCI technologies. Their applications to the treatments of, say, cancers and paralyses are definitely different, so relevant products have to go through corresponding procedures (before entering the end market)," said Jiang.
In March, the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) released a pricing guideline for neural system care services, specifying BCIs in an independent category.
According to the NHSA, this move aims to boost the clinical application of the cutting-edge technology to benefit patients in need, against the backdrop of BCIs' rapid development in recent years.
The guideline also outlines the pricing of invasive and non-invasive BCIs respectively based on the distinctive features of the two BCI approaches.
The guideline will pave the way for the swift translation of mature BCI technology into clinical use in the future, and offer a compass for localities nationwide to manage relevant medical services, said the NHSA.
China's first medical service pricing for brain-computer interfaces issued
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova extended Spring Festival greetings in an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) on Monday.
The Spring Festival, the most important traditional festival in China that marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year, falls on Feb 17 or Tuesday this year, ushering in the Year of the Horse, the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac cycle.
Zakharova delivered her blessings in Chinese to the Chinese people.
"I wish everyone a happy Spring Festival, all the best, and good fortune in the Year of the Horse," she said.
Zakharova expressed her anticipation for the Year of the Horse and noted the connection between her name and the Chinese character for "horse."
"I have high hopes for the Year of the Horse. My zodiac sign is the rabbit, not the horse, but my name has a (switch to Chinese) "Ma" [horse] in it. Maria [is my name], "Ma". (switch to Russia) So I really hope this year brings good things. [My nickname is] Masha, [and it sounds like] (switch to Chinese) Ma shang ji xiang [May auspiciousness arrive at once]," Zakharova noted.
She also shared her research on the festival and her favorite festive dishes.
"Let me tell you a secret. Don't tell anyone. I'm only telling you and your audience. Just now, my father, who's also a sinologist, called me and said he's already ordered Chinese takeout. So once we finish the Spring Festival event here at Red Square, I'm heading straight home. Our whole family is getting together to celebrate the arrival of Chinese New Year, and the table will be filled with all kinds of delicious food," she said.
"I know that in Chinese tradition, dumplings are a must on the table. Our family spread will be plentiful, and yes, we'll have dumplings too. Personally, I really love (switch to Chinese) gulaorou (sweet and sour pork), and yu xiang rou si (shredded pork with garlic sauce). (switch to Russian) And something I especially love, but is really hard to find in Moscow, only sold in a very few places, is (switch to Chinese) boiled peanuts. You can get fried ones, but not boiled. I really enjoy boiled peanuts, (switch to Russian) as a (switch to Chinese) cold dish. (switch to Russian) Anyway, there will be lots of dishes," said Zakharova.
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman extends Spring Festival greetings to Chinese people
