Amid an aging population and a growing public emphasis on health, China is deepening its medical reform through a ‘health-first strategy’ that prioritizes disease prevention and health management.
This forward-looking approach was outlined in a key reform resolution adopted at the recent third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee. The strategy signifies a shift from primarily treating illnesses to maintaining overall well-being.
“This transition is a common feature of medical reform and upgrades in many countries,” explained Gordon G. Liu, dean of the Institute for Global Health and Development at Peking University. “In an aging society, the demand for medical services is increasingly geared toward high-quality health management, chronic disease management, and long-term care.”
China, where over 20 percent of the population is aged over 60, recognizes the need to bolster capacities in disease monitoring, early warning systems, risk assessment, epidemiological investigations, testing, emergency response, and medical treatment, as highlighted in the reform resolution.
Significant progress has been made in recent years, particularly in combating chronic diseases and preventing epidemics. Action plans have been introduced to tackle four major chronic diseases responsible for over 80 percent of deaths nationwide. These initiatives include enhancing early awareness among diabetes patients to prevent disease progression and improving screening capabilities for chronic respiratory diseases.
Early screening services for prevalent cancers have been expanded, covering most of the top ten cancer types. Nearly 200 million women have benefited from screenings for cervical and breast cancer, demonstrating the country’s commitment to early detection and prevention.
In terms of epidemic preparedness, China has established a direct reporting system encompassing approximately 84,000 medical institutions. Health authorities are working to upgrade this system to strengthen risk monitoring capabilities further.
Efforts are also underway to extend family doctor services and long-term care insurance schemes, aiming to provide home-based care and support for the population.
The resolution emphasizes that promoting public health requires collaborative efforts across various departments and the coordinated development and governance of medical services, medical insurance, and pharmaceuticals. This integrated approach draws inspiration from the successful medical reform experience in Sanming, a city in east China’s Fujian Province, which is now being promoted nationwide.
Zhan Jifu, the former head of the Fujian provincial healthcare security bureau and a key figure in Sanming’s medical reform, believes that such collaboration guides medical practices to better meet the public’s demand for healthier lives.
Echoing this sentiment, Liu highlighted the importance of synchronizing reforms in medical insurance systems with medical services. “New payment methods should be explored to encourage more doctors to practice medicine and health management in communities and households rather than remaining solely in hospitals,” he suggested.
China’s ‘health-first strategy’ represents a significant step toward a more proactive and preventive healthcare system, aligning with global trends and the evolving needs of its people.
Reference(s):
China deepens medical reform through 'health-first strategy'
cgtn.com
