BEIJING: China’s health literacy rate increased from 10.25 percent in 2015 to 19.17 percent in 2019, almost getting doubled by the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP) period (2016-2020), China’s National Health Commission (NHC) told a press briefing on Wednesday.
Health literacy refers to a person’s ability to gain and comprehend health information and acquire relevant services to make appropriate decisions. Speaking at a press briefing on China’s health development during the 13th FYP period, Yu Xuejun, deputy head of the commission, said China’s health indicators are generally better than the average levels in medium- and high-income nations. The average life expectancy of Chinese citizens rose from 76.3 years at the end of 2015 to 77.3 years at the end of 2019.
The maternal mortality rate dropped from 20.1 per 100,000 to 17.8 per 100,000 over the same period, Yu added.
China successfully responded to threats of multiple outburst epidemics during the 13th FYP period, including H1N1, H7N9 and Ebola. The incidence of major infectious diseases also dropped significantly, according to Yu. The combo of “internet+healthcare” has played an important role in optimizing allocation of medical resources, innovating service mode and improving general public health in China. In April 2018, the General Office of the State Council released a document to push the development of Internet Plus. “NHC has signed agreement with 11 provinces of China to jointly develop ‘internet+healthcare,’ and to explore its development policies, regulatory models, and standards and norms,” said Mao Qunan, head of NHC’s planning department.
He added that there are about 900 internet hospitals across the country, the telemedicine network has covered over 24,000 medical facilities in China, and more than 5,500 second-class hospitals and above are able to provide online services.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, services including online consulting, telemedicine, psychological counseling and medicine distribution have been provided to the public based on ‘internet+healthcare,’” Mao told the media. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is not only a vital feature but also an advantage of China’s healthcare sector.
–The Daily Mail-CGTN exchange item
