In today’s talking points: Dingxiang Doctor helps quell health rumours, Gates Foundation to work with CFDA on drug standards, China to train more general practitioners, Trial Health Programs lower smoking rates, increase health literacy
Dingxiang Doctor helps quell health rumours
In order to fight the spread of misinformation around medical issues Dr. Chu Yang created the platform Dingxiang Doctor. Examples of health rumours include community distrust of a GP installing an X-ray machine for fear of radiation sickness. All the way to eye care company Shapuaisi falsely advertising its drops could prevent cataracts. Dingxiang’s main WeChat account reaches 6 million people, with article views ranging from 100,000 to 1 million. Presently there are few reliable sources on medical issues if one were to search Baidu. In 2016 a young cancer patient was misled by treatment advertisements and died. In turn as China becomes increasingly health conscious platforms like Dingxiang Doctor become all the more important.
Read more at: Sixth Tone
Gates Foundation to work with CFDA on drug standards
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, it was announced the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is working with the Chinese Food & Drug Administration to help improve it’s standards. Billionaire Bill Gates stated that innovation was required for China and India to improve its healthcare as they, “can never afford to spend $10,000 per citizen”. These comments reflect the U.S. and European regulatory dominance in medicines and vaccines, meaning at times useful drugs are rejected on the grounds of clashing national interests. Further, training professionals into western-orthodoxy won’t transfer into effective action in the PRC. Such a partnership could create a third regulatory power, certainly necessary for the fastest growing health market globally.
Read more at: Bloomberg
China to train more general practitioners
A government guideline issued this week aims to have two or three general practitioners available for every 10,000 Chinese residents. In order to achieve this goal, there is a strong focus on recruiting GP’s, with medical schools opening more programs, and hospitals being encouraged to open departments of general practice so that students have adequate industry exposure. With this in mind, the government is looking to increase the salaries and condition of GPs in order to attract more interest.
Read more at: Xinhua
Trial Health Programs lower smoking rates, increase health literacy
The implementation of a health promotion initiative has lowered the smoking rates in test areas, bringing the smoking rate of around 21.69% below the national average. China has established these programs in nearly 400 counties. The National Health and Family Planning Commission aims to expand this program nationally. The health literacy rate – which measures citizens’ health knowledge, skills and healthy lifestyle – was also measured as being above the national average.
Read more at: Xinhua