Guizhou establishes health service system for elderly

In recent years, health departments in Southwest China's Guizhou province have promoted the integration of medical treatment and health care to enhance the development of geriatric medicine, offer targeted health management services for senior residents, and establish a health service system covering seniors in both rural and urban areas.

The seventh national census shows that Guizhou is home to 5.93 million people aged 60 and above, accounting for 15.38 percent of the permanent population, and 4.46 million people aged 65 and above, accounting for 11.56 percent of the permanent population.

To meet the health care needs of the elderly, the Guizhou Health Commission has established cooperation between various government departments, medical institutions, and private capital to cultivate medical and nursing institutions.

By the end of 2020, Guizhou was home to 128 medical and nursing institutions with 12,475 employees and 20,908 beds. In 2020, the province offered free physical examinations for 3.28 million people aged 65 and above.

Statistics show that 95 percent of Guizhou's elderly choose home-based care, which means there is strong demand for home-based medical treatment and nursing services. The Guizhou Health Commission also encourages family doctors to offer health management services to the elderly.

In 2020, Guizhou evaluated the health of 9,000 disabled elderly people in nine counties and districts, and recorded 650,000 disabled and impoverished elderly people. This year, the province invested 8 million yuan ($1.25 million) in medical and nursing services for the elderly, and continues to offer health evaluations and health care services for them.

By 2025, Guizhou plans to establish 20 demonstration counties for medical and nursing services, have geriatric departments at 60 percent of secondary hospitals, and offer standard community services to 65 percent of people aged 65 and above.