The National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) and the National Health Commission (NHC) of China have issued a joint notification to incorporate village clinics into the Basic Medical Insurance (BMI) system, marking a significant step towards enhancing healthcare funding support for rural medical facilities. The initiative is designed to bolster the rural healthcare system by extending insurance coverage and improving access to essential medical services.
The notification mandates that all eligible village clinics be recognized under the BMI management by the end of 2024. For administrative villages with multiple clinics, at least one must be designated to operate within the BMI framework. This move is expected to standardize healthcare services and ensure a minimum level of insurance coverage across rural areas.
Local health bureaus are instructed to refine policies for the procurement and use of essential drugs in village clinics, aligning them with those in township clinics to ensure consistency in treatment for common and frequently occurring diseases. The notification also encourages the adoption of high-quality, cost-effective drugs procured through volume-based procurement (VBP) in village clinics.
Furthermore, the document supports village doctors in providing comprehensive services, including family doctor contract services, insurance mobilization, home visits, preventive healthcare, chronic disease management, and traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment. These measures aim to enhance the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery in rural China.- Flcube.com
