Survey and analysis on the resource situation of primary health care institutions in rural China

Abstract

BackgroundChina’s rural population is immense, and to ensure the well-being of rural residents through healthcare services, it is essential to analyze the resources of rural grassroots healthcare institutions in China. The objective is to examine the discrepancies and deficiencies in resources between rural grassroots healthcare institutions and the national average, providing a basis for future improvements and supplementation of rural healthcare resources.MethodologyThe study analyzed data from 2020 to 2022 on the number of healthcare establishments, the capacity of hospital beds, the number of healthcare professionals, and the number of physicians in both rural and national settings. Additionally, it examined the medical service conditions and ratios of township health centers in rural areas to assess the resource gap between rural areas and the national average.ResultsHealthcare establishments: On average, there were 2.2 fewer healthcare institutions per 10,000 persons in rural areas compared to the national average over three years. Hospital beds: On average, there were approximately 36 fewer hospital beds per 10,000 persons in rural areas compared to the national average over three years. Healthcare professionals and physicians: On average, there were about 48 fewer healthcare technical personnel and 10 fewer practicing (including assistant) physicians per 10,000 persons in rural areas compared to the national average over three years.ConclusionCompared to the national average, there are significant discrepancies and deficiencies in grassroots healthcare resources in rural China. This underscores the necessity of increasing funding to progressively enhance the number of healthcare institutions in rural areas, expand the number of healthcare personnel, and elevate medical standards to better align with national benchmarks. Improving rural healthcare resources will strategically equip these institutions to cater to rural communities and effectively handle public health emergencies. Ensuring that the rural population in China has equal access to healthcare services as the rest of the country is crucial for promoting the well-being of rural residents and achieving health equity.