China's Focus on Pediatric and Mental Health Services (2025-2027)

The National Health Commission (NHC) of China has announced a significant initiative to address gaps in pediatric and mental health services from 2025 to 2027. This initiative, designated as the "Years of Pediatric and Mental Health Services," aims to improve access to these crucial services for children and adolescents across the country.

The NHC plans to significantly expand the availability of pediatric services, aiming for "broad coverage" by 2027. This includes ensuring that over 90% of these services are accessible at primary-level healthcare facilities, such as community health stations, township-level health centers, village clinics, and outpatient departments. Additionally, all general hospitals at secondary and tertiary levels will be required to offer pediatric services by 2025. This expansion aims to alleviate the overcrowding issues frequently experienced at major hospitals, particularly during winter when respiratory illnesses are prevalent among children.

Recognizing the growing importance of mental health, the NHC will establish more state and regional centers for mental disorders and actively develop key clinical specialties in this field. By 2025, outpatient services for mental and sleep disorders will be available in at least one hospital in each prefecture and city nationwide. The NHC will also promote the use of the unified mental health hotline, 12356, throughout the year, ensuring all similar hotlines are connected to this central platform by May 1, 2025.

The initiative places particular emphasis on the mental health of children and adolescents. Given the prevalence of depression among adolescents, estimated at around 2%, the NHC aims to equip schools with full-time or part-time mental health education instructors by 2025. This aligns with the three-year national action plan launched in 2023.

To support these ambitious goals, the NHC plans to adjust salaries and treatment for professionals in pediatric and psychiatric departments, making these fields more attractive career options. This investment in human resources is crucial for ensuring the success of the initiative.

The "Years of Pediatric and Mental Health Services" represents a significant commitment by the Chinese government to improve the well-being of children and adolescents. By expanding access to essential services and investing in professionals, this initiative has the potential to make a lasting impact on the health and development of future generations.