Published by ChinaMNC · Fengxin

China's Primary Healthcare Reforms: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

China's National Health Commission addresses public concerns about primary care, chronic disease prescriptions, and family doctor services—reforms that affect how foreign founders and their employees access healthcare.

China's Primary Healthcare Reforms: Implications for Foreign Founders

Foreign founders operating in China often wonder how the country's healthcare system works, especially for their local employees and themselves. Recent public feedback highlighted concerns about primary care quality, chronic disease medication processes, and the role of family doctors. In response, the National Health Commission (NHC) outlined measures that are reshaping primary healthcare delivery. Understanding these changes can help foreign entrepreneurs navigate the system and ensure their teams have reliable access to care.

Strengthening County-Level and Primary Care

One netizen shared a personal story: her father suffered from acute cholecystitis, but the county hospital couldn't treat him. The family rushed him over 700 kilometers to a provincial capital, where a simple surgical procedure resolved the issue without hospitalization. This anecdote reflects a common challenge: uneven healthcare quality across regions.

The NHC's Medical Administration Department acknowledged that some local primary healthcare facilities lack sufficient service capacity. To address this, authorities are implementing the “Several Measures for Accelerating the Construction of a Tiered Diagnosis and Treatment System,” issued in April this year. The goal is for common illnesses to be treated at the city and county levels, and routine conditions at the primary level.

A key strategy is the formation of “tight-knit medical alliances” led by stronger hospitals in collaboration with primary care institutions. Within these alliances, higher-level hospitals are required to open outpatient clinics for common and chronic diseases at primary facilities. Expert teams from upper-tier hospitals will extend their general outpatient services to grassroots levels. The aim is to have mid- and senior-level personnel from higher hospitals permanently stationed at every township health center and community health service center. Additionally, “general practice + specialty” joint clinics are being promoted so residents can access both general practitioner health management and specialist guidance at their doorstep. Mobile medical services will cover all counties with weak resources, and urban public hospitals will continue to support county-level hospitals and community health centers.

Simplifying Chronic Disease Prescriptions

Another concern raised by netizens was the cumbersome process for obtaining medications for chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and emphysema, which are common among the elderly. The NHC's Primary Health Department responded by emphasizing the principle of “medication follows the disease.” For patients with clear diagnoses, stable conditions, and long-term medication needs, long-term prescriptions of up to 12 weeks per fill are now available. Furthermore, primary healthcare facilities are supported in stocking medications for hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients can also register for medication delivery services if a drug is out of stock.

Enhancing the Role of Family Doctors

A university student from Beijing reported that in many areas, residents still prefer going directly to higher-level hospitals for common ailments, and family doctor services often suffer from “signing without consulting.” The student suggested integrating contracted services with priority referral measures.

The NHC's Primary Health Department thanked the student and explained that family doctor contracted services involve a signed agreement between a family doctor and a resident to provide basic medical care, public health services, and agreed-upon health management. Services include diagnosis and treatment of common and frequent illnesses using both Chinese and Western medicine, medication guidance, and long-term prescriptions. In some places, family doctors can also book outpatient slots at higher-level hospitals for contracted residents who need them.

Looking ahead, the NHC plans to encourage more secondary and tertiary hospitals to allocate a certain proportion of expert appointments and inpatient beds to family doctors, enabling them to provide outpatient, examination, and hospitalization services. The long-term prescription policy for chronic diseases will be further implemented, and medication formularies at primary facilities will be better aligned with those at higher-level hospitals. Family doctors will also proactively contact contracted residents and offer services such as home hospital beds for those in genuine need.

What This Means for Foreign Founders

For foreign founders, these reforms signal a push toward more accessible and efficient primary care. If you are establishing a company in China, your local employees will benefit from improved primary healthcare services, which can reduce absenteeism and enhance productivity. Moreover, as a foreign resident, you may also access these services, particularly if you enroll in China's social insurance system or purchase private health insurance that partners with local providers.

When setting up operations, consider the healthcare infrastructure in your chosen location. Cities with strong hospital networks and pilot medical alliances may offer better primary care access. Additionally, understanding the family doctor system can help you and your expatriate staff navigate routine health needs more effectively. While these policies are still being rolled out, they reflect a clear direction toward strengthening grassroots healthcare.

For assistance with company registration and operating in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.