[Two Sessions] NHFPC Officials answer reporters' questions

(en.nhfpc.gov.cn)

Updated: 2016-03-11

How have things developed after the two-child policy was implemented? What can be done to solve the shortage of pediatricians? How to push forward the tiered medical system? At a press conference of the Fourth Session of the 12th CPPCC National Committee, Li Bin, minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, and Vice Ministers Ma Xiaowei and Wang Peian answered a series of questions from reporters. 

No timetable for fully open family planning 

"So far, a total of 13 provinces, autonomous regions and cities, such as Guangdong, Shanghai and Hubei, have finished amending local population and family planning regulations, and most provinces will complete the revision by the end of March," Li Bin said. 

"By 2015, the national population was 1.375 billion, and it will peak at approximately 1.45 billion. By 2050, the total population is expected to remain at 1.38 billion, roughly the same as today," said Li about the impact of the two-child policy. 

She said that there are now roughly 90 million couples that meet requirements of the policy. By 2050, the working-age population will increase by 30 million, and the aging population will drop, so population structure will be more balanced. 

Li said that there is no timetable yet for fully opening family planning policy, which will be based on phases of population development and will be adjusted and improved accordingly. 

Concerns about having a second child

Li said that some families have concerns about having a second child, including female employment, child care and education. "Our departments are carefully studying those problems and will strive to solve them," Li said.

Li promised  measures to safeguard women's interests and ensure women's employment and vacation rights. Any discrimination against women will be resisted. Government departments will increase public kindergartens and encourage communities to establish child-care centers, including at companies where there are many female workers. In addition, the government will improve maternity and infant care training, and medical care for pregnant and post-natal women will be reinforced to ensure safety.   

As for the increasing number of pregnant women, Ma Xiaowei said that the health departments will increase the number of beds during the 2016-2020 period, and enhance obstetrics and midwife training. "(We will) take care of risk evaluation and health checks of pregnant woman in advanced age, and establish provincial emergency centers after 2017, along with new hospital rooms for those women and newborns at city and county levels," Ma said. 

Four measures to solve shortages in pediatrics resources

Li Bin said that China has huge pediatric care needs, and existing resources are insufficient and poorly distributed.  The NHFPC is working with relevant department to formulate opinions on strengthening pediatric care and solve the shortages. 

"On one hand, service supplies should be increased. On the other hand, prevention should be stepped up to reduce diseases," she said.

First, pediatric services will be enhanced to realize a children's hospital in each prefecture-level city with a population of more than 3 million. Every province, city and county should have a government-run standard maternity and child care institution.

Second, pediatric training will be strengthened. By 2020, there should be more than 30,000 resident pediatricians. Third, policy should be enhanced to rationally determine pediatric income. Fourth, prevention of child diseases should be enhanced. 

Six tasks to boost ‘Healthy China’ 

Li said that the nation is actively pushing the Healthy China development strategy and the 2016-2020 health plan and medical reforms. 

Li said that ‘Healthy China’ will have six tasks. First, offering universal  public health services, and improving disease prevention and treatment. Second, building a tiered system of medical care. Third, improving medical security and drug supply. Fourth, developing a healthy social environment, and treating environmental and food safety problems. Fifth, develop health industry. Sixth, cultivate independent and self-disciplined health behavior and raise public health literacy level. 

Tiered system allows treatment close to home

Li Bin said that diagnosis and treatment at tertiary hospitals is increasing, and hospital overcrowding has eased thanks to the tiered system of medical care. In 21 provinces, 90 percent of patients get treatment at local hospitals, and 75 percent of patients have chosen medical facilities in their own cities. 

"Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Sichuan and Jiangsu have taken the most patients from outside, offering references for medical resource distribution," Li said. She added that the next step will be establishing regional medical centers and solving structural contradictions in resource imbalance. 

"The tiered system is the readjustment of China's medical resource layout," Ma Xiaowei said. "In a sense, implementation marks the success in China's public hospital reform."

Ma said that income and career prospects of doctors at the  community level should be improved, so that common and frequently-occurring diseases can be treated at the local level. At the same time, medical insurance policies should encourage medical treatment at the community level. If breakthroughs can be made in primary medical treatment, the problems in the tiered system can be solved. Social support fees remain in place

Wang Pei’an said that the nationwide two-child policy will continue the family planning policy, which asks for continued social support fees. 

"Those who violated the law and gave birth to a second child before January 1, 2016, will have their legal sentences maintained; those who haven't gone through the legal process should be properly handled based on circumstances," he said. 

Wang Peian said that the State Council's Legislation Affairs Department sought public opinions in 2014 and plans to amend some aspects of the social support fee. In light of the big changes following the two-child policy, studies and evaluation will be conducted in the future. 

He also said that provinces that have already revised local population and family planning regulations have made improvements on social support fee collection.