Global implications of China's healthcare reform

Abstract

The ongoing healthcare reform in China has a powerful spillover effect beyond the health sector and the borders of China. A successful completion of the Chinese reform will offer a new model for social justice development, shift the global economy toward sustainability and create a new hub for science and technology in medical and health science. However, reforming the healthcare system in the most populated country is a daunting task. China will not live up to its promise, and all the potentials may end with hype not hope if coherent national strategies are not constructed and state-of-the-art navigation is not achieved with staggering domestic and global challenges. The cost of failure will be immensely high, socioeconomic costs for Chinese and an opportunity cost for the world as a whole. A full appreciation of the global implications of China's healthcare reform is crucial in keeping China receptive toward good practices evidence-approved elsewhere and open minded to fulfill its international obligations. More critically, the appreciation yields constructive engagements from global community toward a joint development and global prosperity. The current report provides a multiple disciplinary assessment on the global implications of the healthcare reform in China.

The value of China-Africa health development initiatives in strengthening “One Health” strategy

“…Greater commitment to strengthen local and regional operationalization of integrated disease surveillance and response, public health systems and core capacities have been documented to critically address public health emergencies, biosecurity and disaster risk across the continent. National and regional public health emergencies, biosecurity surveillance, preparedness, rapid response, and recovery policy and strategies are robust and sustainable assets for socioeconomic transformation in line with Africa Health Strategy (2016-2030), the Africa Union 2063 agenda and in attaining SDGs [1,4,10,11].…”

“…Firstly, developing innovative information and communication technology for health will provide opportunities to avert thousands of deaths and disability by improving access to good-quality essential drugs, by increasing coverage of vaccines immunization and use of other pharmaceutical and medical commodities nationwide [1,10,11]. In addition, leveraging on the unique "One Health" approach to transform health care and health policy and to prioritize collaborative programs can be extended from infectious diseases to maternal and child health and health disparity in the poorest populations in Africa [1,[10][11][12]. Secondly, building regional surveillance systems is another way to enhance the local health system.…”

“…Therefore, China's advancements in research and development, technical and scientific capacity transferring can support African next generation of proactive scientists to develop more sensitive simplified diagnostic tools and reduce the costs of laboratory diagnosis and medical equipment. Furthermore, Research and Development (R&D) is needed in examining the biological mechanisms of stressors or risk factors exposure and health effects, assessing evidence-based mitigation or adaptation interventions and benefits [1,11,12]. Innovative solutions and breakthroughs in human-animal-environment fields would not only enable Africa to meet its own growing needs, but also support integrating health systems, including strengthening the capacities of laboratory diagnostics and medical care, as well as establishing the China-Africa platforms that could generate evidence-based low-cost, available and easy-to-use health packages and solutions for the reduction of public health burden.…”

Untimely applause was a distraction Comment on "Shanghai rising: health improvements as measured by avoidable mortality since 2000"

“…The innovative efforts of healthcare community in Shanghai in using cutting-edge technology and evidence-approved preventive strategies to improve the life quality of community members may be undervalued in Gusmano et al 's report. Partnered with business communities, a regionally integrated health networks has been set up in Minghang of Shanghai, linking hospitals, community health centers, nursing homes and households to enhance early detection of noncommunicable disease using telemedicine and wireless technology (33). These efforts may not necessarily reduce mortality substantially but they dramatically reduce disability, increase independence and satisfaction with life for patients, and ultimately lower the emotional and financial cost to the family and society as a whole.…”

Ageing Impact on the Economy and Emissions in China: A Global Computable General Equilibrium Analysis

“…These studies focus on the ageing impact in China while the interplay between China and other countries is largely overlooked. To fill the gap, Yan et al [18] have discussed the global implications of China's healthcare reform.…”