China Advances Medical Reform with 'Health-First Strategy'
With more than 20 percent of its populace being over the age of 60 and increasing public attention on health issues, China has adopted a "health-first strategy" that emphasizes disease prevention and health management.
TroibNews 
With over 20 percent of its population aged over 60 and an increasing public focus on health, China is committed to a "health-first strategy" centered on disease prevention and health management.
This strategy was detailed in a significant reform resolution recently adopted at the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee.
As the country continues to improve its healthcare system, it is evolving from primarily treating diseases to focusing on maintaining overall health.
"This transition is a common feature of medical reform and upgrades in many countries," stated Gordon G. Liu, dean of the Institute for Global Health and Development at Peking University.
He observed that in an aging society, the demand for medical services is increasingly moving towards high-quality health management, chronic disease management, and long-term care.
Liu also mentioned that there is still room for improvement in China's medical services for health management.
To maintain the health of its vast population, China needs to enhance "capacities for disease monitoring and early warning, risk assessment, epidemiological investigation, testing and inspection, emergency response, and medical treatment," as stated in the resolution.
In recent years, significant progress has been made by the government and medical institutions, particularly in combating chronic diseases and preventing epidemics.
Action plans have been introduced to prevent and control four major chronic diseases responsible for over 80 percent of deaths in the country. These plans include measures like increasing early awareness among diabetes patients to prevent disease progression and improving screening capacity for chronic respiratory diseases.
China has provided early screening services for many common cancers, covering most of the top 10 cancer types. Nearly 200 million women have benefited from screenings for cervical and breast cancer.
Regarding epidemics, a direct reporting system has been established, covering approximately 84,000 medical institutions. Health authorities have pledged to upgrade this system to enhance its risk monitoring capabilities.
Additionally, China is working to extend the coverage of family doctor services and long-term care insurance to provide home-based care for its citizens.
Promoting public health involves the collaboration of various departments and necessitates the "coordinated development and governance of medical services, medical insurance, and pharmaceuticals," as emphasized in the resolution.
This coordinated approach is based on the successful medical reform experience in the city of Sanming in east China's Fujian Province, which has been promoted nationwide.
Zhan Jifu, the former head of the Fujian provincial healthcare security bureau and a key figure in the Sanming medical reform, believes that this collaboration helps guide medical practices to better meet the public's demand for healthier lives.
Liu pointed out that the reform of medical insurance systems should align with the reform of medical services. "New payment methods should be explored to encourage more doctors to practice medicine and health management in communities and households rather than staying in hospitals," he added.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
This strategy was detailed in a significant reform resolution recently adopted at the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee.
As the country continues to improve its healthcare system, it is evolving from primarily treating diseases to focusing on maintaining overall health.
"This transition is a common feature of medical reform and upgrades in many countries," stated Gordon G. Liu, dean of the Institute for Global Health and Development at Peking University.
He observed that in an aging society, the demand for medical services is increasingly moving towards high-quality health management, chronic disease management, and long-term care.
Liu also mentioned that there is still room for improvement in China's medical services for health management.
To maintain the health of its vast population, China needs to enhance "capacities for disease monitoring and early warning, risk assessment, epidemiological investigation, testing and inspection, emergency response, and medical treatment," as stated in the resolution.
In recent years, significant progress has been made by the government and medical institutions, particularly in combating chronic diseases and preventing epidemics.
Action plans have been introduced to prevent and control four major chronic diseases responsible for over 80 percent of deaths in the country. These plans include measures like increasing early awareness among diabetes patients to prevent disease progression and improving screening capacity for chronic respiratory diseases.
China has provided early screening services for many common cancers, covering most of the top 10 cancer types. Nearly 200 million women have benefited from screenings for cervical and breast cancer.
Regarding epidemics, a direct reporting system has been established, covering approximately 84,000 medical institutions. Health authorities have pledged to upgrade this system to enhance its risk monitoring capabilities.
Additionally, China is working to extend the coverage of family doctor services and long-term care insurance to provide home-based care for its citizens.
Promoting public health involves the collaboration of various departments and necessitates the "coordinated development and governance of medical services, medical insurance, and pharmaceuticals," as emphasized in the resolution.
This coordinated approach is based on the successful medical reform experience in the city of Sanming in east China's Fujian Province, which has been promoted nationwide.
Zhan Jifu, the former head of the Fujian provincial healthcare security bureau and a key figure in the Sanming medical reform, believes that this collaboration helps guide medical practices to better meet the public's demand for healthier lives.
Liu pointed out that the reform of medical insurance systems should align with the reform of medical services. "New payment methods should be explored to encourage more doctors to practice medicine and health management in communities and households rather than staying in hospitals," he added.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
