Shanghai Expands Medical Field to Private Capital

In the face of increasingly diversified medical needs, Shanghai's social capital will be able to improve with a small scale and a low proportion. At present, relevant departments in Shanghai are brewing relevant policies and measures to expand the openness of the medical field to private capital.

The thirty-sixth meeting of the Standing Committee of the thirteenth National People's Congress of Shanghai held a special inquiry on the reform of the medical and health system yesterday. Shanghai Municipal Medical and Health System Reform Leading Group Office (hereinafter referred to as “Shanghai Medical Reform Office”) Director Shen Xiaochu stated in a related report that how to further improve the policy system in the next reform and attract social capital to participate in the development of medical and health services should be addressed One of the problems.

Shen Xiaochu said that the state's “12th Five-Year Plan” medical reform program clearly requires that the amount of medical treatment in all localities be gradually increased to 20% in 2015. However, under the “one-size-only” situation in public hospitals, Shanghai has plans, access, medical insurance, and prices. The supporting policies in the fields of personnel, taxation, and other aspects are not enough to support the development and growth of social medical services. The development of modern medical service industry is slow.

In response, members of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress proposed that whether Shanghai can further guide social capital into the medical field. A reporter’s report on deepening medical reforms also stated that it is necessary to improve the relevant policies and rules from the actual circumstances in which Shanghai’s social services are small in scale, low in proportion, single in business, and slow in development.

When responding to relevant inquiries at the above meeting, the person in charge of the Shanghai Medical Reform Office stated: "We are formulating a policy document to promote social capital to run medical services. This document has now undergone three rounds of trials by various departments."

The above-mentioned sources stated that at present, the total amount of Shanghai's social capital for medical treatment is only 5%, the total number of beds is relatively small, the scale is relatively small, and the quality of medical care is not satisfactory. This is inconsistent with the level of modern medical industry services in Shanghai's international cities. "In the current situation that Shanghai's entire public health resources are already too large, if public health and social capital can be done in line with planning needs to establish new medical institutions, priority should be given to social capital."

The above-mentioned documentary rules will cover all aspects of market access, land, equipment, talents, training, etc., and ensure that the community-run medical and public hospitals enjoy the same environment and policies.

“According to the pilot situation where doctors in Shanghai can practice more, the Health Bureau has also formulated relevant policies that clearly stipulate that doctors in public hospitals can go to different medical institutions to practice.” The above sources stated that “public hospital doctors can apply for practice in private medical institutions. This will ensure that the private medical institutions will have guarantees in terms of funds, policies, and medical technology."

The above-mentioned sources further stated that the advancement of this work also involves the support of medical insurance for socially-run medical institutions. It will also make certain stipulations on the corresponding policy adjustments. As long as the social medical service meets the requirements of public welfare, medical insurance will support them. "We will solidify these policy measures and strive to introduce them as soon as possible."

In addition, in order to meet the demand for high-end medical resources, Shanghai will also establish two medical parks focusing on high-end medical services, namely the Shanghai International Medical Park in Pudong New Area and the new Hongqiao International Medical Center in Minhang District. "I hope the two medical parks will create first-rate high-end medical resources in the country and even Asia, and lay the foundation for Shanghai's special medical care." The above sources said.