China lists 21 priority areas for healthcare reform

The country aims to continue its stringent zero-COVID policy.

The Chinese General Office of the State Council released 21 key tasks to continue their medical and healthcare system reform in 2022 on May 25.

By end-June, all provinces are set to publish documents concerning the establishment of adjustment mechanisms for medical service prices and remove medical service prices from the list of cost supervision. 

Public hospitals are tasked to further reform their human resources and renumeration systems. 

On the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the country said that it will continue its strict zero-COVID policy, to prevent local cases at a minimal cost. 

National medical centres and high-level provincial hospitals are tasked to improve their services at a primary level. 

On insurance, multiple and diversified payment methods and payment by disease types should become options. 

Better public health services to improve disease prevention and control, through better capacity in monitoring and early warnings for epidemics, contact racing, emergency responses, and epidemiological investigation. 

“Pushing forward the Healthy China Initiative, comprehensive reform and high-quality development of public hospitals and increasing government input and stimulus are also emphasized in the document,” the Chinese government said in a press statement.