China launches action plan for expanded TCM care

China launched an action plan on Tuesday to enhance traditional Chinese medicine services at the grassroots level by 2030, with the aim of providing all residents access to quality TCM care within a 15-minute walk of their homes.

The plan, jointly issued by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and 10 other government departments, aims to strengthen the capacity of county-level TCM hospitals and achieve full coverage by TCM departments in township and community health centers.

In addition, more TCM departments will be established in general hospitals, specialized hospitals and maternal and child health institutions. The private sector will also be encouraged and guided to establish TCM facilities at a county level, with a focus on specialized fields such as acupuncture, orthopedics, proctology and rehabilitation.

The plan emphasizes the development of TCM specialty departments and calls for improving overall TCM service capacity, particularly in emergency care, critical care, pharmaceutical services and health management.

It also sets targets for expanding the grassroots TCM workforce. By 2030, the proportion of TCM specialists at county-level TCM hospitals is expected to exceed 60 percent, and every community and village clinic will be staffed with at least one medical professional capable of providing TCM services.

To support the effort, the plan outlines expanded TCM training programs for general practitioners and calls for favorable policies on income and professional title promotion for TCM specialists.

Meng Qingbin, director of the medical administration bureau at the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said at a news conference on Tuesday that by the end of last year, around 96 percent of county-level regions had at least one TCM hospital.

According to Meng, the majority of grassroots healthcare institutions now have TCM departments capable of providing services.

He added that the new blueprint is expected to further improve the accessibility and efficiency of TCM services, better meeting the public's healthcare needs.

Guo Yuhe contributed to the story.