Shandong launches innovative pilot project for medical and prevention integration to accurately and comprehensively prevent and treat infectious diseases

During a news conference held by the Shandong provincial government on October 16, reporters learned about the innovative measures being implemented in disease prevention and control within the province. The government plans to establish at least 10 provincial-level pilot projects for integrated medical and preventive health services by 2025, along with creating no fewer than 20 integrated medical health facilities.

Gai Yingqun, Deputy Director of the Shandong Health Commission and Director of the Shandong Disease Control Center, emphasized that the province has made significant improvements to its disease control system in recent years. All 16 cities and 136 counties within Shandong have successfully set up their disease control bureaus, and all municipal and county-level disease control centers, as well as health supervision agencies, have been effectively integrated. Additionally, Shandong is testing reforms at disease control centers, introducing a chief expert system by field, and innovating recruitment and incentive measures to enhance talent acquisition. These pilot programs now extend to all city-level centers and 30% of county-level centers.

In August, the Shandong provincial government issued implementation guidelines focused on advancing high-quality development in disease prevention and control, proposing corresponding policies to reshape the disease control system and deepen medical-preventive integration.

According to Ge Yuguai, a second-level inspector at the Shandong Health Commission, the province has established flexible mobility and data-sharing mechanisms to address critical areas of integrated medical and preventive services. Currently, all 153 disease control centers in Shandong have signed agreements with medical institutions to collaborate deeply on disease risk assessment, opportunistic screening, and risk factor interventions. “The intelligent multi-point monitoring and early warning platform for infectious diseases in Shandong is now operational, allowing real-time capture and monitoring of clinical data from healthcare institutions,” Ge added.

Shandong has also embarked on five pilot projects to explore effective pathways for integrated medical and preventive services. “Our disease control centers are collaborating with medical institutions on multiple aspects, including monitoring and treating infectious diseases, as well as providing continuous services for chronic diseases,” Ge noted, highlighting that these pilot projects have expanded to 16 cities. In key areas for integrated control of infectious diseases, five cities have implemented measures related to optimizing testing and screening, patient follow-up, and public health interventions, leading to a 40% increase in early diagnosis and treatment rates in these areas.

Additionally, initiatives such as integrated chronic disease management under the “Three Highs Co-Management and Six Diseases Co-Prevention” framework, health prescriptions for vaccinations, and supervision by disease control officers in medical institutions are being steadily advanced to further root integrated medical and preventive services in Shandong.

Ma Jixiang, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the Shandong Disease Control Center, stated that strengthening monitoring and early warning systems is crucial for effectively preventing and mitigating the risks associated with infectious disease outbreaks. “We are advancing the construction of an integrated provincial platform for infectious disease monitoring, early warning, and emergency command. Currently, this platform connects with city-level platforms across 16 cities, incorporating over 2,600 medical institutions, nearly 2,400 elderly care facilities, 16 children’s welfare institutions, and more than 33,000 schools, shifting from traditional passive reporting to proactive sensing of infectious disease outbreak information.”

As Shandong enters the high season for respiratory infectious diseases in the autumn and winter months, chief expert Xu Aiqiang from the Shandong Disease Control Center shared insights during the conference, noting that the flu typically dominates the infectious disease season starting in November. “We recommend enhancing routine monitoring for the entire population, especially for high-risk groups. Those experiencing fever or cough should seek medical attention promptly, depending on their symptoms.”