Thanks Ruby- this is very insightful. As you eluded to, China's very centralised agenda setting and the sheer efficiency extend well beyond healthcare. For example, the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (APPCAP) in 2013 with legally binding air pollution (PM2.5) targets, that led to PM2.5 concentrations to fall to 1/3 within a space of 5 years. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment used central coal-to-industry price controls but there was also fierce inter-regional competition to accelerate vehicle-emission standards, and clean-fuel rollouts.
In context the air pollution reductions in China far outpace similar Clean Air Acts introduced in the US and UK, which took 30+ years to achieve similar gains.
Thanks Ming! Climate x health is increasingly a global priority, and therefore for China too. But as you have alluded, responsibilities for this intersectional space currently fall across multiple ministries - meaning that deliverables are difficult to monitor and account for
Yes- China is doing really well in the climate and health particularly with the booming domestic EV industry and recently the Heat Climate Health Adaptation plan 2024-30, and time will tell of the health co-benefits. But sadly, cross-sectoral dialogue is also a massive bottleneck in this space- the WHO, GCHA, have been calling on this for years but so far little progress and this extends far beyond China...
1. Private Healthcare: In your mapping of China's healthcare administration, how does private healthcare fit within the broader system? Is it integrated into the official hierarchy, or does it largely operate in parallel to the public system?
2. Traditional & Folk Medicine: I have to admit, my understanding of traditional Chinese medicine and folk healing practices is quite ignorant. From your research, to what extent has traditional or folk medicine been absorbed into China's formal healthcare system? Are these practices officially recognized or regulated within the administrative structure, or do they exist outside of it?
Thanks for your questions. Re TCM I will be writing more on this topic in the future, but pls refer to my USAID and WHA pieces for a flavour - TCM is a longstanding cultural, historical and political priority for China and an integral piece of its health system. There are TCM practises integrated into community and tertiary and every level of the system, and the existence of a standalone health ministry illustrates its importance. Policy of course informs and guides both public and private systems, but the reimbursement list specifically focuses on public healthcare insurance. The commercial health payments will be affected by the new CIIDL (announced just recently). Hope that helps!
In the sense that the PLA runs many of the top hospitals, across many cities. Also, most emergency/quarantine situations fall under military authority, I believe.
Do they report to the civilian health authorities? Or do civilian administrators defer to them? Or a mix?
Maybe my info is outdated and the military hospitals have transferred to civilian control.
Thanks Ruby- this is very insightful. As you eluded to, China's very centralised agenda setting and the sheer efficiency extend well beyond healthcare. For example, the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (APPCAP) in 2013 with legally binding air pollution (PM2.5) targets, that led to PM2.5 concentrations to fall to 1/3 within a space of 5 years. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment used central coal-to-industry price controls but there was also fierce inter-regional competition to accelerate vehicle-emission standards, and clean-fuel rollouts.
In context the air pollution reductions in China far outpace similar Clean Air Acts introduced in the US and UK, which took 30+ years to achieve similar gains.
Thanks Ming! Climate x health is increasingly a global priority, and therefore for China too. But as you have alluded, responsibilities for this intersectional space currently fall across multiple ministries - meaning that deliverables are difficult to monitor and account for
Yes- China is doing really well in the climate and health particularly with the booming domestic EV industry and recently the Heat Climate Health Adaptation plan 2024-30, and time will tell of the health co-benefits. But sadly, cross-sectoral dialogue is also a massive bottleneck in this space- the WHO, GCHA, have been calling on this for years but so far little progress and this extends far beyond China...
Great article! I have 2 questions:
1. Private Healthcare: In your mapping of China's healthcare administration, how does private healthcare fit within the broader system? Is it integrated into the official hierarchy, or does it largely operate in parallel to the public system?
2. Traditional & Folk Medicine: I have to admit, my understanding of traditional Chinese medicine and folk healing practices is quite ignorant. From your research, to what extent has traditional or folk medicine been absorbed into China's formal healthcare system? Are these practices officially recognized or regulated within the administrative structure, or do they exist outside of it?
Thanks for your questions. Re TCM I will be writing more on this topic in the future, but pls refer to my USAID and WHA pieces for a flavour - TCM is a longstanding cultural, historical and political priority for China and an integral piece of its health system. There are TCM practises integrated into community and tertiary and every level of the system, and the existence of a standalone health ministry illustrates its importance. Policy of course informs and guides both public and private systems, but the reimbursement list specifically focuses on public healthcare insurance. The commercial health payments will be affected by the new CIIDL (announced just recently). Hope that helps!
This is thorough and useful but what about the PLA?
From my understanding it’s a parallel track. Unless as you said, emergency scenarios eg pandemic, require greater capacity on the ground.
thanks Lucy - this is technically focused so I would be very keen to hear your perspectives on how they would best fit in
In the sense that the PLA runs many of the top hospitals, across many cities. Also, most emergency/quarantine situations fall under military authority, I believe.
Do they report to the civilian health authorities? Or do civilian administrators defer to them? Or a mix?
Maybe my info is outdated and the military hospitals have transferred to civilian control.