This Day, That Year

Editor’s Note:

This year marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up policy.

China has taken various measures over the decades toward its goal of providing every citizen with access to healthcare services. The country has established the world’s largest basic medical care security networks covering nearly 1.4 billion people.

In February 2006, the State Council, China’s Cabinet, issued a guideline on building community healthcare service centers, aiming to facilitate access to medical professionals for patients and reduce their costs.

Since then, a series of public health programs have been carried out to cope with increasing health challenges, such as an aging population.

In 2016, a State Council guideline was released to provide all citizens with access to family doctor services by 2020. In addition to diagnosing and treating illnesses, the doctors also provide preventive care, including routine checkups, risk assessments, immunizations and tests, in addition to counseling on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

By the end of November, general practitioners had signed treatment contracts with more than 500 million people across the country, accounting for more than 35 percent of the population, according to the National Health and Family Planning Commission. The rapid growth of the internet has contributed to a flourishing online medical industry.