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
China Media Group (CMG)'s much-anticipated Mid-Autumn Festival Gala aired at 20:00 Beijing Time on Tuesday, captivating a global audience with its poetic and artistic celebrations of the festival.
The gala, known as "Qiuwan" in Chinese, was filmed in Shenyang City, the provincial capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. This city, rich in cultural heritage and industrial significance, boasts a 2,300-year history, three world heritage sites, and over 1,500 historical landmarks.
Themed "Moon Culture," the gala presented over 30 artistic performances, including poems, songs, dances, and operas, vividly reflecting Chinese traditional culture with a modern flair.
The program was divided into three chapters, namely "Moon Rise," "Moon Light," and "Bright Moon."
"Moon Rise" opened with a song adapted from a poem by Li Qingzhao, a Song Dynasty (960-1279) female poet, celebrating the sweet osmanthus flower, which blooms at this time of year and has been cultivated in China for over 2,500 years.
This section also featured performances blending traditional Chinese music with contemporary styles, emphasizing family, patriotism, and nostalgia, including a performance featuring popular Kazakhstani singer Dimash Qudaibergen.
The second chapter, "Moon Light," highlighted traditional Chinese culture and Shenyang's local charm with acts which included ancient shadow puppetry and errenzhuan, a two-person stand-up comedy unique to northeast China.
Notable performances included pop star Li Yuchun's duet with a child, celebrating maternal love, and singer Tan Weiwei's performance with Olympic champions Wu Dajing and Deng Yawen, honoring dream chasers. Hungarian pianist Balazs Havasi joined Chinese artists for a stirring performance, spreading a message of warmth and romance.
"Moon Bright," the final chapter, featured classic songs and reunion-themed narratives.
Highlights included a musical adaptation of Tang Dynasty poem "Qing Ping Diao” by poet Li Bai (701-762), which captures the essence of ancient Chinese beauty. A moving performance by a middle-school chorus from Macao Special Administrative Region expressed students' love for the country and hopes for a brighter future.
French musician Richard Clayderman enchanted the audience with his timeless "A Comme Amour" and a breathtaking rendition of "The Butterfly Lovers" concerto, which intertwines Chinese folklore with Western romantic composition.
The gala is now available on various China Central Television (CCTV) channels and new media platforms.
This year's Mid-Autumn Festival, symbolizing family reunion, was celebrated on Tuesday, September 17.
CMG's Mid-Autumn Festival Gala celebrates traditions with star-studded performances
