Luohu experience essential in the creation of Shenzhen's community health networks
Shenzhen will pilot a family doctor hotline this year, according to the city's public health commission.
In its work conference on March 20, the commission published a document outlining the key points of the city's grassroots public hygiene and health efforts this year, proposing 42 measures to form a comprehensive community-level public health network.
Community rehabilitation centers and family doctors, who are on call through the new around-the-clock hotline, will be the main healthcare providers in the network. The commission hopes that this new initiative will address more than 45 percent of its community's medical concerns at the grassroots level.
The new health network is expected to make it more convenient for people to receive medical care at home and, at the same time, relieve the workload of hospitals.
The document, which is based on a pilot reform of medical care in Luohu district, aims to improve the grassroots medical care network and services, improve its operational efficiency and optimize the allocation of its resources.
The commission is also working on improving the administration of the grassroots medical care network, and will remove obstacles to allow more private investors to join the network. The commission plans to set up more than 100 community-level health care agencies this year.
Medical colleges and schools are also encouraged to build their teaching bases for general practitioners at community health agencies to increase the supply of medical talent. The schools' enrollment of medical students training to become general practitioners will also be increased.
Shenzhen will also expedite the building up of its database on its citizens that includes their electronic medical records and e-health records. This effort is to create a more efficient sharing of e-medical records, physical exam reports and test results among hospitals and between hospitals and community health institutions.