Shandong takes bold steps to improve its healthcare access

The Weihai Torch High-Tech Industry Development Zone – located in Weihai city in East China's Shandong province – has dedicated significant efforts to enhancing its healthcare infrastructure in recent years.

The high-tech zone has for instance invested over 8 million yuan ($1.09 million) to date this year – focusing on key initiatives, such as establishing a new community health service center and two additional community health service stations.

In particular, the Tianhe community health service center in the high-tech zone has been equipped with advanced imaging inspection devices – such as color ultrasound and digital radiography – reinforcing the overall hardware of community health services.

The primary goal was to create a healthcare framework where initial diagnoses took place at the grassroots level and minor ailments were treated locally.

This community-focused strategy is said to have led to a substantial increase in grassroots outpatient visits, averaging over 230 visits per day compared with the same period last year.

Additionally, the high-tech zone is said to be at the forefront of innovative healthcare models – introducing a "mobile healthcare + dual-network integration (5G communication and highway transportation) + real-time medical insurance settlement" system.

Thanks to the flexible approach, the zone has now brought together cutting-edge medical equipment, advanced intelligent technologies and a specialized medical team.

It promises to offer a wide range of services to locals, including CT scans, gastrointestinal endoscopies and various surgical procedures. (Edited by Zhou Yunlai)

Residents wait in line in front of a mobile medical vehicle, ready to undergo examinations. [Photo by Gao Xin for chinadaily.com.cn]