Beijing, June 10 – China has made significant progress in optimizing its healthcare resource distribution, according to the National Health Commission. The country’s efforts to expand high-quality medical resources and improve regional balance have yielded measurable results in 2024.
Urban Medical Networks Show Promising Results
The commission reported that 81 pilot cities have advanced the development of integrated urban medical groups, facilitating better resource sharing across different levels of healthcare facilities. This initiative has led to a substantial 20.6% year-on-year increase in two-way patient referrals, reaching 36.567 million cases in 2024.
National Medical Center Development
China’s dual-center construction program continues to make steady progress:
- 13 specialized national medical centers established
- Pediatric regional medical centers implemented
- 125 regional medical center projects supported nationwide
County-Level Healthcare Integration
The initiative has also strengthened medical resource integration at county level:
- 2,188 counties have developed integrated healthcare systems
- Shared service centers (imaging, ECG, testing) established
- Central pharmacies implemented across counties
These county-level improvements have collectively provided approximately 190 million medical services, significantly improving healthcare accessibility in rural areas.
The comprehensive reforms demonstrate China’s commitment to creating a more equitable and efficient healthcare system nationwide, particularly in underserved regions.
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