Drug manufacturing in a "clean room" by Floyd Holdman. |
The technical level of public health has improved greatly, and the management and supervision of medical work have been strengthened. An urban and rural medical insurance system combining state planning and fee paying has been established. Traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine have been promoted simultaneously. The incidence of many epidemic diseases has dropped considerably, and some endemic diseases are now under control. Rural health work has been improved, greatly contributing to the overall health of the population. The average life expectancy of Chinese people, the death rate of infants and childbirth death rates have almost reached the levels of developed countries.
Development of Medical and Health Institutions, Hospital beds and
Medical and Health Personnel
Year |
1949 |
1978 |
1985 |
1990 |
1998 |
Medical & health institutions |
3,670 |
169,732 |
200,866 |
208,734 |
310,000 |
Hospital beds (1,000) |
85 |
2,042 |
2,487 |
2,925 |
3,140 |
Medical & health personnel (1,000) |
505 |
2,464 |
3,411 |
3,898 |
4,420 |