Issues and viewpoints

As China is becoming an increasingly aging society, the issue of senior care is drawing greater public attention. China has more than 200 million people over age 60, accounting for 14.9 percent of its population, and the figure is expected to reach 19.3 percent by 2020, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The central government has worked out a series of measures, including encouraging private investment in the senior care service industry, to help with the aging population. Comments:

We should develop specialized hospitals and medical research centers for the elderly. Pilot projects could be done in Shanghai. Like pediatrics, treatment for the elderly is different from other patients. While China has specialized hospitals for children and the pregnant, there is none for the elderly.

Shen Zhigang, NPC deputy and member of the Standing Committee of the China Democratic League Central Committee