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China's Primary Healthcare Reforms: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

A recent government response clarifies how China is improving primary care, with implications for foreign entrepreneurs establishing or operating businesses in China.

China's Push for Better Primary Healthcare

In response to public concerns about accessing medical care and prescriptions at the community level, China's National Health Commission (NHC) has outlined measures to strengthen primary healthcare. For foreign founders setting up or running a company in China, understanding these reforms can help in planning employee benefits and navigating the local healthcare system.

Improving Local Medical Capacity

One citizen reported that a family member with acute cholecystitis could not be treated at a county hospital and had to travel over 700 kilometers to a provincial capital, where a simple procedure resolved the issue without hospitalization. The NHC acknowledged that such cases reflect insufficient service capacity at some primary healthcare institutions.

To address this, authorities are implementing the "Several Measures for Accelerating the Construction of a Hierarchical Diagnosis and Treatment System," issued in April this year. The goal is for common illnesses to be treated at the city and county levels, and routine illnesses at the grassroots level.

Under this framework, regions are forming "tight medical associations" led by stronger hospitals that partner with primary care institutions. These associations are expected to:

• Establish common and chronic disease clinics at primary care facilities.
• Extend expert outpatient services from higher-level hospitals to grassroots institutions.
• Ensure that every township health center and community health service center has long-term support from mid- to senior-level personnel from higher-level hospitals.
• Promote combined general practitioner and specialist clinics so patients can receive both health management and specialized guidance locally.
• Expand mobile medical services to all counties with weak resources and continue pairing urban public hospitals with county hospitals and community health centers.

Simplifying Prescription Processes for Chronic Diseases

Citizens also raised concerns about cumbersome prescription procedures for common chronic conditions among the elderly, such as hypertension, diabetes, and emphysema. The NHC's Primary Health Department responded by emphasizing the principle of "medication following the disease."

For patients with clearly diagnosed, stable chronic conditions requiring long-term medication, primary care institutions are to provide long-term prescriptions for up to 12 weeks per fill. Additionally, efforts are underway to ensure adequate supplies of medications for hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at primary care facilities, including long-term prescription services and delivery for medications not in stock.

Strengthening the Role of Family Doctors

A university student from Beijing reported that many residents still prefer higher-level hospitals for routine care and prescriptions, and that family doctor services often suffer from "signing without consulting." The student suggested deeper integration of contracted services with priority referral measures.

The NHC explained that family doctor contracted services involve a signed agreement between a family doctor and a resident to provide basic medical care, public health services, and agreed health management. Services include diagnosis and treatment of common and frequent illnesses using both Chinese and Western medicine, medication guidance, and long-term prescriptions. In some areas, family doctors also make appointments for contracted residents at higher-level hospitals.

Next steps include:

• Encouraging more secondary and tertiary hospitals to allocate a proportion of expert appointments and inpatient beds to family doctors for referrals.
• Further implementing long-term prescriptions for chronic diseases and aligning grassroots medication lists with those of higher-level hospitals.
• Proactively contacting contracted residents and providing services such as home hospital beds for those in need.

Implications for Foreign Founders

These reforms signal China's commitment to improving primary healthcare access, which can benefit foreign-owned companies by enhancing the overall healthcare environment for employees. As a foreign founder, you may want to:

• Stay informed about local healthcare resources to advise your employees on accessing primary care.
• Consider offering health benefits that complement the public system, such as private insurance that includes family doctor services.
• Ensure your business complies with labor regulations regarding employee health benefits, which may evolve alongside these reforms.

While the source article does not specify new obligations for employers, it highlights the government's focus on making healthcare more accessible, which can indirectly affect workforce productivity and satisfaction.

Conclusion

China's efforts to strengthen primary healthcare and chronic disease management are part of a broader healthcare reform. For foreign entrepreneurs, understanding these changes can aid in navigating the business environment and supporting your team's well-being.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.

For assistance with registering and operating a company in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.