China to further expand TCM services

BEIJING - All Chinese citizens are expected to be able to enjoy traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) services in their communities by 2022, according to a recently issued guideline.

Efforts will be made to ensure all community health service centers and township clinics in the country offer TCM services by 2022, according to the guideline released by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.

As of the end of 2018, 98.5 percent of community health service centers and 97 percent of township clinics nationwide had started providing TCM services, and over 60,000 traditional Chinese medical organizations had been established, offering more than 1.2 million beds, according to the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Great efforts should be put into developing TCM clinics and specialist hospitals, the document said, adding that chain operations are encouraged.

It also said TCM services should go online, building a database of medical records and prescriptions and developing online TCM hospitals affiliated to medical institutions.

Retired TCM doctors are encouraged to provide services at grassroots-level institutions and training for rural doctors will be improved, the guideline said.