North China's Shanxi province is pushing forward its comprehensive healthcare enhancement project to ensure residents have access to superior medical services locally. Starting this year, Shanxi will invest 1.04 billion yuan ($146.21 million) annually for three years to support the project.

Focusing on public medical institutions, the project aims to expand and balance high-quality medical resources, including regional medical centers, clinical specialties, medical talents, and medical research. Efforts will be made to enhance county-level hospitals' capabilities and strengthen the grassroots healthcare system, enabling residents to receive top-notch medical services close to their homes.

A doctor conducts an MRI test on a patient. [Photo/Shanxi Economic Daily]

Shanxi has already established four national regional medical centers and introduced over 660 new medical technologies. Of these, 217 technologies are new to the province. Furthermore, 162 new medical services have been added, and prices for over 140 medical insurance items have been adjusted, significantly reducing the need for patients to seek treatment outside the province.

Meanwhile, to address rural healthcare issues, the province plans to invest 91 million yuan over three years to support the construction of at least 91 central township health centers. The focus will be on improving basic diagnosis and treatment as well as emergency services, creating a medical development model that is complementary and collaborative with but also different from county-level medical institutions.

Additionally, the project includes various incentive measures to boost the motivation and creativity of medical personnel, aiming to enhance their professional skills and service quality.