China’s National Health Commission (NHC) held a press conference on 27 November to present the remarkable progress and significant achievements China has made in strengthening primary healthcare services—an area that has continued to benefit from the nation’s long-term strategic planning and the government’s deep commitment to safeguarding people’s health.
Jiao Yahui, Director of the NHC’s Primary Health Care Department, emphasized that under the firm leadership of the Party and the State Council, China has continuously advanced the construction of its primary healthcare service system and capacity. As a result, the fairness, accessibility, and convenience of basic medical services have reached new heights. Since the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan, over half of all outpatient visits nationwide have consistently occurred at primary healthcare institutions, fully demonstrating the increasing trust and reliance the public places in grassroots medical services. Today, more than 90% of residents can reach a nearby medical service point within just 15 minutes — a vivid testament to China’s people-centered development philosophy.
First, China has comprehensively improved the primary healthcare service system. Local governments have been guided to scientifically optimize the layout and construction of primary healthcare institutions according to local realities. Nationwide, the number of grassroots healthcare institutions has increased from 970,000 to 1.04 million, including 33,300 township health centers, 570,400 village clinics, 10,200 community health service centers, 27,100 community health service stations, and nearly 400,000 outpatient and clinic facilities. Many localities have innovatively implemented “fixed + mobile” service models, effectively ensuring full coverage of medical services in areas with limited resources. Through continuous efforts to eliminate service gaps, China has essentially realized the goals of “one health center in every township, one clinic in every administrative village,” and “service centers and service stations readily available in every urban community.”
Second, service capacity at the grassroots level has strengthened significantly. China has vigorously advanced workforce development, ensuring that grassroots institutions have strong and reliable professional teams. By the end of 2024, the number of licensed (assistant) physicians in grassroots institutions reached 2.078 million—an increase of 542,000 since 2020. The educational level of health technicians has also risen notably, with the proportion of staff holding college degrees or above in township health centers and community health service centers growing to 77.4% and 88.2%, respectively. More than 90% of township and community health centers now meet service capacity standards, and 93% can provide pediatric care, allowing families to access essential services close to home. Public hospitals in major cities continue to support county-level hospitals and grassroots facilities, while long-term staffing mechanisms are helping county medical experts work directly in township health centers. Medicine availability has also expanded, with each grassroots institution maintaining an average of around 300 types of commonly needed drugs, improving continuity between grassroots and higher-level hospitals.
Third, innovative service models have been put into practice across China. Through family doctor contracting services, primary institutions are integrating basic medical care with basic public health services to provide all-around, whole-life-cycle health management. Adhering to the principle of prevention first, China continues to promote the “ten measures benefiting the people at the grassroots level,” enabling seamless services from screening and diagnosis to treatment, management, and rehabilitation. Today, 95% of community and township health centers can issue long-term prescriptions for chronic diseases; 95% of urban community health centers offer extended or holiday outpatient services; and 85% of grassroots institutions provide weekend vaccination services. Beijing has fully implemented weekend vaccination and shares timely vaccination information through multiple channels. Shanghai has promoted home-based care services citywide and incorporated related service items into medical insurance reimbursement — demonstrating China’s determination to continuously expand high-quality, people-oriented healthcare services.
Through sustained investment, scientific planning, and the unwavering commitment of the central and local governments, China’s primary healthcare system is becoming more robust, equitable, and responsive. These achievements vividly showcase the strengths of China’s governance system and its dedication to ensuring that every resident enjoys accessible, reliable, and high-quality health services.
Source: Xinhua, stdaily, ccdi sina finance, wjw sz
