China will continue to improve community-level healthcare services to provide better healthcare to the public, an official from the National Health Commission (NHC) said at a press conference Wednesday.

Wang Bin, director general of the General Office of the National Health Commission, speaks at a press conference held in Beijing on Nov. 1, 2023. [Photo/China SCIO]

"Community-level healthcare service is integral to meeting the basic medical and healthcare needs of the people, which makes it the most fundamental public service," said Wang Bin, director general of the General Office of the NHC.

China has strengthened its healthcare infrastructure by establishing more community-level medical institutions. More than 7,100 such institutions now meet the nationally recommended standards. Additionally, over 3,800 community hospitals have been established across the country, enhancing accessibility to healthcare services for citizens.

A critical part of enhancing community-level healthcare services lies in building the talent pool. Tailored to the needs of basic healthcare, China has increased the recruitment and training of medical professionals in general practice, rehabilitation, nursing, and other healthcare fields. It has also implemented a special plan for college medical students to work as doctors in rural areas. In 2023, more than 5,000 medical students were recruited to work in rural areas, and the number is expected to increase, Wang said.

Moreover, China has steadily promoted contracted family doctor services for key groups such as the elderly and people with disabilities. By the end of June, more than 70% of these key groups had signed contracts with family doctors.

China has also ensured greater equity in the provision of basic public health services. It has increased per capita government subsidy for basic public health services to 89 yuan (US$12.16) in 2023. 

In the first half of 2023, basic public health services in China have covered 89.88 million elderly people aged 65 and above, 110 million hypertensive patients, and 37.63 million type 2 diabetes patients, up 40%, 3.3%, and 6.9% respectively compared to the same period in 2022, according to data from the NHC.