Red Army vets get free health care

Veterans of the Red Army will receive pro bono clinic services by Beijing specialists as the government launches a one-week campaign, starting from September 3, the National Health and Family Planning Commission announced on Thursday.

The government will send nine teams of medical doctors and nurses to nine old revolutionary base areas, including Ruijin in East China's Jiangxi province, and Yan'an in Northwest China's Shaanxi province.

Medical organizations from across China will also set up free clinic stations to serve the general public, with a special treatment for veteran soldiers including free medical examinations.

"We expect 20,000 medical facilities to join this movement, and we project that 15 million people will benefit from this nationwide," said Li Dachuan, a director from the Commission in charge of the event.

The opening ceremony will be held on Sept 3 in Ruijin, the starting location of the Red Army's Long March. The year 2016 marks the 80th anniversary of the success of the Long March, when three armies led by the Communist Party of China joined forces in Northwest China's Gansu after a two-year-long march.