China will step up efforts to improve its healthcare system, already the world's largest, during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), aiming to bring quality medical care closer to people, an official with the National Health Commission (NHC) on Monday.
Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, Guo Yanhong, deputy head of the commission, said more than 1.1 million healthcare institutions have been established across the country, enabling over 90 percent of households to reach the nearest healthcare facility within 15 minutes.
Guo also outlined plans to further improve the country's healthcare system during the following five years.
"The roles and functions of medical institutions at all levels and of all types will be further clarified, and medical and health resources will be rationally allocated. We will also help township health centers and community health service centers expand their capacity to provide medical services, develop distinctive clinical departments, and improve their ability to diagnose and treat common and frequently occurring diseases, as well as deliver health management, so as to better meet the daily medical needs of local residents," said Guo.
"We will support second-tier and county-level hospitals to actively develop services involving rehabilitation, nursing, mental health, pediatrics, geriatrics and hospice care to shore up weak links. Outpatient appointments at second-tier and third-tier hospitals will be prioritized for grassroots medical and health institutions, so as to better guide people to seek medical care in a reasonable manner and enhance the continuity of medical and health services," she said.
In addition, according to Guo, China will strengthen operational support for county, district and grassroots medical institutions, enhance medical insurance support for grassroots medical and health services, rationally increase the supply of medicines at these institutions, and expand the provision of rehabilitation, nursing and hospice care services.
China has a three-tier system for ranking hospitals, with third-tier hospitals, which have the largest number of beds and provide comprehensive medical services, at the top of the system.
China to improve healthcare system for broader access to quality medical care: official
