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

Recent clarifications from China's National Health Commission on primary care, chronic disease prescriptions, and family doctor services may affect how foreign founders and their employees access healthcare in China. Here's a breakdown of the key points.

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

For foreign founders operating in China, understanding the local healthcare system is crucial for employee welfare and business continuity. Recent responses from China's National Health Commission (NHC) to public concerns about primary care, chronic disease prescriptions, and family doctor services shed light on ongoing reforms. These changes could impact how you and your team access medical services.

Strengthening Primary Care: The Role of Tight Medical Associations

One key issue raised was the limited capability of some primary healthcare institutions, which can lead to patients traveling long distances for basic procedures. The NHC's Department of Medical Administration acknowledged this gap and outlined measures under the Several Measures for Accelerating the Construction of a Hierarchical Diagnosis and Treatment System, issued in April 2026.

Under this framework, regions are forming tight medical associations led by stronger hospitals that collaborate with primary care facilities. These associations aim to ensure that common diseases are treated at the city or county level and routine illnesses at the primary level. Key features include:

• Upper-level hospitals within tight medical associations must establish clinics for common and chronic diseases at primary care institutions.
• Expert teams from upper-level hospitals will extend their general outpatient services to primary care facilities.
• The goal is to have mid- to senior-level personnel from upper-level hospitals permanently stationed at every township health center and community health service center.
• Combined general practice and specialty clinics are being promoted so patients can receive both general practitioner health management and specialist guidance at the primary level.
• Mobile medical services will cover all counties with weak resources, and urban public hospitals will provide paired support to county hospitals and community health centers.

For foreign founders, this means that if your business is located in areas with developing healthcare infrastructure, you may see improved access to quality care at the primary level, reducing the need for long-distance travel for medical treatment.

Simplifying Chronic Disease Prescriptions

Another concern was the cumbersome process for obtaining medications for chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and emphysema. The NHC's Department of Primary Health responded by emphasizing the principle of "medication follows the disease."

For patients with clear diagnoses, stable conditions, and long-term medication needs, primary care institutions now offer long-term prescriptions for up to 12 weeks per fill. Additionally, efforts are underway to ensure adequate supplies of medications for hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at primary care facilities, including long-term prescription services and delivery for medications not in stock.

This reform can benefit foreign founders and employees who manage chronic conditions, as it reduces the frequency of clinic visits and makes medication management more convenient.

Enhancing the Role of Family Doctors

The NHC also addressed the issue of residents preferring upper-level hospitals over family doctors, despite having signed service agreements. The Department of Primary Health outlined the scope of family doctor contracted services, which include basic medical care, public health services, and agreed-upon health management. Services cover:

• Diagnosis and treatment of common and frequently occurring diseases using both Western and Chinese medicine.
• Medication guidance.
• Long-term prescription services.
• In some areas, family doctors can make appointments for contracted residents at upper-level hospitals.

To improve the effectiveness of these services, the NHC plans to:

• Encourage more secondary and tertiary hospitals to allocate a certain proportion of expert appointments and inpatient beds to family doctors for their patients' use.
• Further implement long-term prescriptions for chronic diseases and align primary care medication lists with those of secondary and tertiary hospitals.
• Strengthen proactive contact with contracted residents and provide home hospital beds for those in need.

For foreign founders, these developments suggest that family doctor services may become more integrated with higher-level care, potentially offering a more coordinated healthcare experience for expatriates and local employees.

Practical Implications for Foreign Founders

While these reforms are still being rolled out, they signal a direction toward more accessible and efficient primary care in China. As a foreign founder, you should:

• Stay informed about local healthcare policies, as implementation may vary by region.
• Encourage employees to utilize primary care facilities and family doctor services where available, as these can offer convenient and cost-effective care.
• Consider healthcare access when choosing office locations, especially if your team includes individuals with chronic conditions.
• Factor in healthcare benefits when designing employee packages, as improved primary care may complement private insurance plans.

These changes are part of China's broader effort to build a hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system, which aims to optimize resource allocation and improve patient outcomes. For businesses, a healthier workforce and reduced time off for medical visits can contribute to productivity.

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

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