NPC deputy urges wealthier regions to support rural healthcare

Peng Danbing, a deputy to the National People's Congress, has called for wealthier regions to take a more active role in providing medical aid and improving the sharing of high-quality medical resources across regions.

"Primary healthcare has long been my research focus. Before the two sessions, I traveled to Bijie in Guizhou province to bring more grassroots healthcare issues to Beijing," said Peng, who is also a member of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party, a non-Communist political party made up mainly of medical and health experts.

Once among the most impoverished areas in Guizhou, Bijie has faced significant challenges due to limited access to quality medical care—a reality that Peng, a former doctor, knows all too well.

She noted that the solution lies in regional cooperation. Building on initial efforts led by her party, an agreement was signed in 2022 between the Guizhou government and Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital to jointly establish a new hospital aimed at bridging this care gap.

"My wish is for people to have access to quality, affordable care right at their doorsteps. We have unique resources and expertise in the medical field, which give us an advantage in supporting grassroots healthcare," she added.

Focusing on Bijie's specific needs, Peng said that the new hospital has prioritized strengthening oncology and maternal-child care.

"To improve a region's overall life expectancy, we need strong oncology and maternal-child departments. That's why we invited multiple expert teams from Zhejiang and Beijing to provide training for medical workers at the newly established hospital," Peng explained. The third group of experts from Zhejiang began their work on Monday.

Since the hospital began offering treatment two years ago, the number of highly complex, fourth-level surgeries has surged by 104 percent, setting new provincial records for many procedures.

"This year, more than 20 hospital aid projects will be launched in Bijie. We will continue to leverage our coordination advantages to bring more high-quality medical resources to Guizhou," Peng added.

Liu Boqian contributed to this story.