January 09, 2008
The state of healthcare in China
From Reuters:
China embarked on massive economic reforms three decades ago, and has since abandoned a cradle-to-grave welfare system, causing hardships for millions left behind by rapid development.
The costs of seeing a doctor or staying in hospital are out of reach for many in the world's fourth-largest economy and this lack of access combined with corruption has made the issue a source of social unrest.
[Health Minister Chen Zhu] said last week that market forces must not come to dominate China's health service, as they lead only to inequality and cause the vast and poor countryside to be ignored.