Expansion of Pediatric Departments in China's Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospitals

The National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine has announced that by the end of November, every tertiary-level public TCM hospital and at least 80 percent of secondary-level public TCM hospitals in China will be required to create pediatric departments. This measure is part of a structured healthcare system that includes tertiary hospitals at its peak, and aims to bolster pediatric services in the country.

Ouyang Bo, deputy director at the administration, reported that as of the end of 2023, approximately 96 percent of the tertiary TCM hospitals and 72 percent of the secondary-level ones had already established pediatric clinics. This effort is part of a broader initiative lasting two years, which runs through 2027, to enhance the standard of pediatric healthcare across the nation. The administration has also introduced various diagnostic standards and efficacy evaluation guidelines for treating health issues like adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and cough variant asthma in children.

Additionally, the administration is supporting pilot programs in 23 cities to manage childhood and adolescent obesity and allowing for the use of TCM therapies for scoliosis in 26 cities and three provinces. A pilot program incorporating 60 TCM treatments to combat childhood myopia has also shown encouraging results. Last year, around 25.97 million toddlers under the age of 3 benefited from TCM services focused on dietary guidance and activity recommendations, demonstrating the rising integration of TCM in pediatric care.

In 2023, four pediatric TCM medications have received market approval, with the administration committed to advancing initiatives aimed at tackling myopia, obesity, and scoliosis in children. Recent statistics indicate alarming obesity rates, with 3.8% of children aged 6 and under and 7.9% of those aged 6 to 17 classified as obese, a significant increase from just 0.2% in 1982 for children aged 7 to 17.

Rong Ping, a vice-president at the First Teaching Hospital of the Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, highlighted the serious implications associated with childhood obesity, which can lead to numerous health issues, including high blood pressure and respiratory diseases. She noted that these children may also experience psychological challenges like low self-esteem and emotional irritability.

From the TCM perspective, promoting a healthy diet and incorporating remedies such as congee made with fresh lotus leaf and barley are recommended strategies. It is crucial to avoid extreme weight loss measures that might impede a child's growth and development, emphasizing the importance of overall growth metrics rather than just weight. For children facing severe obesity complications, a combined approach using both traditional Chinese and Western medicine is advised, leveraging TCM's strengths in body regulation and metabolic enhancement for long-term health benefits.