Shandong builds a close-knit county medical community to make people more reliable in -medicine-

In a recent interview, Liu Qiaoping, a resident of Hezhuang Community in Jinan’s Yuecheng subdistrict, expressed her gratitude for the convenience offered by local medical services. “In the past, we had to spend hours traveling to the city or province to see a good traditional Chinese medicine doctor. Now, we have access to quality care right in our neighborhood. It’s incredibly convenient,” she said.

To address the challenges faced by locals in accessing medical care, especially specialists, the Yuecheng subdistrict in Heze has been actively collaborating with high-quality medical resources to enhance healthcare services. The community health service center’s traditional Chinese medicine department has been recognized as a “National Medical Hall” and a “Premium National Medical Hall.” It offers specialized acupuncture and other treatments, allowing residents to benefit from accessible TCM services nearby.

Additionally, in an effort to preserve the academic experiences of renowned TCM experts, Heze has invited TCM educators to establish a mentorship program. They have organized multiple outreach activities, including free clinics and consultations with TCM specialists. This year alone, nine free clinic events and seven specialist consultations have been conducted, benefiting over 2,000 residents and addressing numerous complex health issues right at the community level.

In Anqiu City, Liu Bingrong experienced severe leg pain while working in the fields and sought immediate care at the Anqiu People’s Hospital’s branch in Cibu. Dr. Zhang Hongxia quickly diagnosed and treated him, alleviating his pain within moments.

The Cibu branch, which opened in May, has transformed the former Cibu Health Center into a modern facility, complete with departments for internal medicine, surgery, dentistry, and TCM. Equipped with advanced medical devices, it provides county-level hospital services right at residents’ doorsteps.

“Given the high proportion of elderly individuals needing basic healthcare, our hospital and its branches regularly conduct free clinics. We visit villages to offer blood sugar tests, blood pressure monitoring, and ECGs, providing personalized health guidance for those who come for consultations,” said Su Liangao, head of the medical administration at Anqiu’s Health Bureau. He emphasized that these efforts reduce the burden on higher-level hospitals and promote layered medical care, which helps raise community health awareness.

Meanwhile, in Lingqing City, healthcare reforms continue to improve access to medical services. The city has bolstered the capabilities of grassroots healthcare institutions and established a pilot program for central pharmacies within county medical community centers. This initiative aims to resolve the challenges in the supply of medications in rural areas, ensuring that residents have better access to necessary prescriptions.

“I used to spend half a day traveling to buy my chronic illness medication. Now, I can get everything I need right at the town hospital,” shared Xu Shipeng, a villager from Yandi Village in Lingqing City.

As the first county in Liaocheng to function as a central pharmacy prototype, Lingqing harnesses the strengths of the city’s main hospital to enhance medication availability. The Health Bureau’s head, Han Yi, discussed plans to accelerate the implementation of digital services, which will improve resource sharing among pharmacists and standardize pharmaceutical care, ensuring residents receive safe medications.

In Jinan’s Laiwu District, healthcare officials are enhancing emergency response capabilities at village clinics, especially for acute conditions like heart attacks. The district has established a connected service network, facilitating rapid remote diagnosis and treatment for high-risk patients.

Laiwu has implemented an innovative telemedicine project involving 200 remote ECG devices across 15 clinics and numerous village healthcare facilities. This system enables quick assessment and treatment of patients experiencing chest pain, ensuring they receive prompt care without unnecessary trips to distant hospitals.

As of October, Laiwu’s ECG network has screened over 12,140 patients, identifying 13 critical cases that required hospitalization. This initiative significantly enhances community healthcare access and protects residents’ health rights, streamlining the treatment process for acute conditions.