China Launches Its Own Commission for Reform
A China Commission on Health Professional Education for the 21st Century—paralleling the mandate of the Commission, but focused exclusively on implementation of the findings in China—was launched at the Peking University Health Sciences Center (PUHSC) in Beijing, China on 4 May 2011. At the same time, printed copies of the Chinese translation of the report were released. Professor Ke Yang, Executive Vice President of Health Sciences at Peking University, who was also a Commissioner, presided over the ceremony. Prof. Dong Zhe, shown in photo, will coordinate the China Commission.
About 75 people attended, including Professor LIN Huiqing, Assistant Minister for Education, MoH Deputy DG for Science and Education JIN Shengguo, and many medical university vice presidents and deans. Commission co-chair Lincoln Chen gave the keynote address, Professor Yang presented the China situation, followed by presentations by four of the vice presidents of China Medical University.
The highest priority in China is the production of primary medical providers, grassroot workers like the barefoot doctors but with sufficient training and support. There are also severe imbalances in nursing and poor coverage in rural regions. China currently has about 60,000 general practitioners, which the Ministry of Health aims to increase to 180,000 by 2015 and 300,000 by 2020. China is undertaking its own Commission, knowing that health sector reform cannot succeed without corresponding reform of medical education.
The 15 Chinese Commissioners plan to issue a China report in 1.5 years to bring focus to medical education reform in China. Professor Dong Zhe, the retired Director of International Cooperation at PUHSC, will be the operating coordinator of the Commission, which will also serve as the China arm of the Asian Network.
Click cover to download pdf of translation.