Two Sessions lookout: Physician calls for better rural healthcare

Gao Jie has been serving Tongchuan, a northern China village about a three-hour drive from Beijing, for 24 years.

The village in Hebei province's Laiyuan county has been relying on his steady service as he is the only doctor there.

Ahead of the "two sessions" in early March — the period when China's top legislature and political advisory body convene — China Daily reached out to ordinary people in different industries to hear what they expect from the top-level meetings.

Gao's busy workday usually begins with home visits and health checks, aiming to cover as many villagers as possible since most of them still refuse to see a doctor unless obvious symptoms start to develop.

Though he is fulfilled providing care to those who are in need, Gao said he is now worried about retirement.

Young people, seeking for better career in cities, might not be willing to take over this job, according to Gao.

Offering his point of view about the Two Sessions, Gao said he would like to see preferential healthcare policies that will help rural areas win back young talents from cities.

"It would be nice if my fellow villagers can get taken care of at our clinic, instead of going to faraway cities for medical service," said Gao.