China establishes 13 specialized national medical centers

China has established 13 national medical centers specializing in different fields, according to an official of the National Health Commission (NHC).

The NHC has worked with the National Development and Reform Commission to approve the construction of 76 more regional medical centers in areas with inadequate medical resources, NHC official Li Dachuan said at a press conference on Thursday.

Existing national medical centers specialize in fields such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, geriatrics, traumatic medicine and respiratory medicine, Li said.

National and regional medical centers developed 372 medical technologies that are pioneering or leading domestically or internationally in 2022, and over 1,400 diagnosis and treatment technologies have been transferred to various provinces since China initiated the program to build these centers, Li said.

The country will make plans to build more national and regional medical centers in the next five years to balance the development of medical services among regions, Li added.