Healthcare in China

Healthcare System in China

The Chinese communist government has assumed all responsibility for delivering and funding healthcare in China. The infrastructure of the health system is composed of sub-systems that include medical services, preventive care, primary/public health, drugs and medical equipment.

The growth of China into a capitalistic market has required medical facilities to begin assuming some of the costs for delivering healthcare, which has translated to the patients paying more. Even though China lacks an official private healthcare system, individuals have some choice in accessing certain providers as long as they are willing to pay.

Quality of Healthcare in China

Almost all the healthcare facilities in China are under government ownership, therefore local and state officials have made sure the hospitals and clinics are of top-notch quality. They staff physicians with vast experience and house some of the latest technology putting Chinese hospitals in par with American and European facilities.

To keep up with international standards of quality regulations, China has 7 JCI accredited facilities. In fact, in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games held in Beijing, China began upgrading their accreditation scheme from 2001, so that foreign travellers and Chinese expatriates could experience international-level hospitals and health facilities.