2017年CRI Family doctors to cover 85% of Chinese cities by the end of 2017

 

[Photo: Xu Jun, Xinhua]

The idea of seeing a family doctor is still a new thing for many Chinese.

But that may soon be different.

As a pioneering project, southwestern Sichuan province provides family doctor services to more than 32 million of its citizens by the end of last year.

The service fees are shared by health insurance funds¹, the per capita funding for basic public health services and other charges, with optional² paid services such as intelligence tests for children, and tests for jaundice-like symptoms.

Nationwide, family physician services are gradually becoming a widespread practice as well.

Last year, 200 Chinese cities introduced family doctor service contracts under a pilot public hospital reform.

A top health official said the country plans to extend³ the services to 30 percent of its city population and 60 percent of its priority⁴ groups such as children, elderly people, pregnant⁵ women and the disabled in 2017.

China also plans to extend the service to the entire national population by 2020.

For more on family doctor services, Zhao Ying earlier talked to Dr. John Cai, Director of Center for Healthcare Management and Policy of China Europe International Business School.

1 funds   

n.pl.资金

参考例句：

• He absconded with the company funds. 他卷走公司的资金潜逃了。
• They held a harambee meeting to raise funds for a new classroom. 他们为筹款建新教室而办了个募捐会。

2 optional   

adj.可任意选择的，非强制的，随意的

参考例句：

• The goods are optional, but only one.这些物品是可以任选的，但只能选一个。
• It is optional with you.那是你的自由。

3 extend   

v.伸开；展开，伸展；扩大；加大

参考例句：

• Can you extend your visit for a few days more?你能把你的访问再延长几天吗？
• The examinations extend over two weeks.考试持续两个星期。

4 priority   

n.优先处理的事，居先，优先（权）

参考例句：

• The development of the national economy is a top priority.发展国民经济是应予以最优先考虑的事。
• Things should be taken up in order of priority.办事应有个先后次序。

5 pregnant   

adj.怀孕的，怀胎的

参考例句：

• She is a pregnant woman.她是一名孕妇。
• She is pregnant with her first child.她怀了第一胎。