China's central government will subsidize community-based health
services in the central and western regions starting next year, a
Chinese health official said in Beijing on Thursday.
The central government will also provide infrastructure support
including basic equipment and training small, community health
centers.
Beginning next year, the central government will subsidize
community-based health services in the central and western regions
respectively three or four yuan (37.5 to 40 US cents) per capita,
said Jiang Zuojun at a press conference.
The subsidies will also be based on the performance of the
community health services, he said.
Over 95 percent of cities above county level in China provide
community health services and more than 3,400 community health
centers and 12,000 community health stations have been set up.
Jiang said that the subsidies will be established according to
need. In addition to the central government's investment, the
provincial, municipal and district governments will also invest in
community health service.
"With economic development, the subsidies will increase to
possibly 10 yuan (US$1.25) or even 20 yuan (US$2.5), with a wider
coverage of health services," he said.
The government encourages community health services for its more
convenient, quicker medical services that can ease the pressure of
large hospitals.
(Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2006)