China Unveils “Healthcare Foundation Strengthening Plan” to Bring Clinics Within 15‑Minute Reach

China Unveils “Healthcare Foundation Strengthening Plan” to Bring Clinics Within 15‑Minute Reach

The State Council released the Implementation Plan for the Healthcare Foundation Strengthening Project, setting a 2027 goal to re‑layout primary healthcare institutions so that every resident can reach a medical service point within 15 minutes. The plan charts a 2030 vision of a fully digitised, equity‑focused primary‑care system that balances traditional Chinese and Western medicine and solidifies a tiered diagnosis‑and‑treatment framework.

12 Key Tasks – Structured by Three Pillars

PillarFocusCore Tasks
System ImprovementOptimize layout, clarify roles, build medical consortia1. Redesign primary‑care clusters 2. Define functional responsibilities 3. Strengthen consortia development
Service OptimizationExpand public health, boost basic medical care, safeguard key groups1. Inclusive basic‑health initiatives 2. Basic‑medical quality actions 3. Service guarantees for vulnerable populations
Disease Prevention & TCMReform prevention system, promote TCM at grassroots1. Reform primary‑level prevention 2. Accelerate grassroots TCM deployment
Element SupportUpgrade facilities, grow workforce, digitise services1. Modernise county‑level equipment 2. Build competent workforce 3. Enhance digital health capabilities
Incentive MechanismsAdjust pricing, reform insurance, improve salaries, dynamic staffing1. Revise medical‑service prices 2. Reform payment methods 3. Better salary distribution 4. Dynamic staffing quotas

County‑Level Medical Consortia: The Heart of the Plan

  • Target: ~1,000 tightly‑integrated consortia by the 15th Five‑Year Plan.
  • Digitalisation Focus: Interoperable electronic medical records (EMR) and health records (EHR) across primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions.
  • Functional Gains: Electronic prescription circulation, cross‑regional test result sharing, vaccination data exchange, and continuous medication record management.
  • Milestones: Near‑universal coverage of county‑level consortia by 2027, with further cohesion by 2030.

Performance Benchmarks

MetricTargetYear
Township/Community service‑capability compliance>95%2030
Standardised hypertension & type‑2 diabetes care rate>70%2030
Cataract & hemodialysis capacity (pop > 50k)Achievable2030
TCM clinic capability in township health centersWidely established2030

-Fineline Info & Tech