China is intensifying efforts in channeling medical professionals from its county-level hospitals to lower-level healthcare institutions to better meet public demand, with over 90 percent of counties nationwide now regularly assigning their hospital staff to township and village-level units for medical service, according to the National Health Commission (NHC) on Thursday.
As part of China's ongoing healthcare reform, sending experienced medical professionals from counties to nearby townships and villages helps address deficiencies in grassroots medical services.
"At present, 90.9 percent of counties nationwide have deployed staff from county-level hospitals to township and village clinics, with long-term personnel stationed there. Medical staff are required to stay at these clinics for at least six months and undergo regular rotations. This approach is to ensure township and village-level medical units offer adequate, reliable services to locals," said Lei Haichao, head of the NHC, at a press conference in Beijing.
In addition, Lei emphasized the importance of advancing the development of county-level medical consortia, aiming to ensure that common diseases are treated at the county level, while routine healthcare needs are managed at the grassroots level.
"By the end of 2025, over 90 percent of counties nationwide are expected to establish county-level medical consortia. This will improve coordination between higher and lower-level medical units, streamline information sharing, and increase personnel exchanges, leading to continual improvements in grassroots healthcare services," added Lei.
According to the NHC, average life expectancy in China has risen to 78.6 years as of 2023.
By the end of 2023, more than 80,000 Chinese students have been enrolled in the country's tuition-free bachelor program in medicine. The program aims to train more medical professionals for medical institutions in rural areas to improve grassroots medical services.
China channels more county-level medical professionals to grassroots healthcare units: NHC
China channels more county-level medical professionals to grassroots healthcare units: NHC
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
