A series of reform measures have transformed China's medical sector in recent years, allowing more equal allocation of medical resources and timely treatment for all patients, including those in the most remote areas.
Geographical barriers and a shortage of medical resources in Jinzhai County, located in the Dabie Mountains of east China's Anhui Province, once forced one-third of patients there to seek medical care elsewhere. Recent reforms in the local healthcare system have helped make medical services much more accessible.
Hu Detian, 64, lives in the mountainous region in Jinzhai. Years ago, he developed kidney failure, and the nearest dialysis center was over 110 kilometers away. With low reimbursement for out-of-county treatment, he had to pay 70 yuan per session (roughly 10 U.S. dollars), plus travel and accommodation costs, which created a heavy financial burden.
For 14 years, Hu had to seek treatment outside his county until August 2022, when a dialysis center opened at the local health clinic. Now, he can get dialysis close to home and only pays 10 yuan per session thanks to insurance and subsidies.
"Now that I don't have to pay for accommodation for dialysis, it's much more convenient. I can walk there in the morning or ride my electric bike," said Hu.
The change started in 2019 when Jinzhai County became a pilot for the national close-type county-level medical communities. Two county hospitals were chosen as leading hospitals, and seven of the 23 township health clinics were upgraded to secondary medical centers. After restructuring, investments in equipment and talent introduction focused on these seven centers.
To help residents get treatment for serious illnesses without leaving the county, Jinzhai County has implemented a policy to reimburse the expense for surgeries and consultations with outside experts.
Sixty-year-old Song Zuxue, who has esophageal tumors and lung disease, had two surgeries performed by provincial experts at county hospital.
"At Changzhou Second People's Hospital in Jiangsu, if I had the surgery there, I would have to pay at least 60,000 yuan after reimbursement. Instead, I chose the local hospital, and after reimbursement for my two surgeries, I only paid about 7,500 yuan," said Song.
From 2019 to 2024, Jinzhai County People's Hospital invited over 3,000 expert consultations. With surplus insurance funds, the hospital covered the costs for these experts, bringing quality care to the county and reducing patient outflow. Now, 90 percent of patients receive treatment within the county.
Meanwhile, the county has improved the efficiency of using insurance funds. By the end of 2024, the insurance fund has changed from a deficit of nearly 80 million yuan (about 11.13 million U.S. dollars) to a surplus of 33.16 million yuan (about 4.61 million U.S. dollars).
Patients from remote areas in Anhui receive quality treatment at doorstep
