China Prioritizes Pediatric and Mental Health Services

China's National Health Commission has placed a strong emphasis on improving pediatric and mental health services this year. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance healthcare infrastructure and disease prevention measures.

By the end of 2025, all secondary and tertiary hospitals, representing the higher tiers of China's healthcare system, will offer pediatric services. Additionally, a campaign will run from 2023 to 2027 to ensure at least 90% of primary medical institutions provide pediatric care.

The commission mandates that at least one hospital in each city-level region establish psychological and sleep clinics. A nationwide mental health support hotline, currently operational in select regions, will be expanded. Over 5,000 mental health awareness lectures by senior professionals are also planned nationwide.

Greater resources will be allocated to developing grassroots medical services and strengthening disease prevention efforts. Medical partnerships between larger and smaller hospitals, as well as between county hospitals and rural clinics, will be reinforced. Mobile medical teams will be routinely dispatched to counties with limited capacity.

The commission emphasizes the importance of spreading health knowledge about chronic diseases and promoting early screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Early-stage screening, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic illnesses will be prioritized, with a focus on strengthening grassroots services and the role of general practitioners in managing these conditions.

Overall, these initiatives demonstrate China's commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes for its citizens, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations and chronic disease management.