China on the move: Tibetans enjoy better medical care

Watch Video

Play Video

Today's episode touches on the issue of public health. China's push to improve health care has been making inroads in the country's southwest. As CCTV reporter Zhang Lu finds out in Tibet, farmers and herdsmen are now enjoying better medical care services.

Luozhu is a doctor in Xumai Village near Lhasa.

Each day he visits patients battling a wide variety of ailments.

Forty-eight-year-old Guoguo has suffered from Kashin-Beck disease for years. Recently she has had great difficulty walking and been unable to attend appointments at the village clinic. Instead, Doctor Luozhu comes to see her once a week.

Guoguo, patient of Xumai Village, Lhasa, said, "Today, I spent 14 yuan. There is still more than 800 yuan left in my account."

Guoguo's account was set up by the cooperative medicare service system when she registered in 2003. Since then the account has covered all her medical expenses.

Dr. Luozhu, Xumai Village, Lhasa, said, "I come to see her once a week. Her family is poor and now she can hardly walk. The medical welfare helps her a lot. "

Guoguo is one of many Tibetans to take advantage of the national healthcare policy. In the village clinic doctor Luozhu cares for dozens of patients everyday.

Almost all of them joined the national medical care system on voluntary basis. They pay 10 yuan a year while the government's subsidy contributes 140 yuan.

Luozhu, patient of Xumai Village, Lhasa, said,"The policy is good. The government gives us a subsidy, which means we can enjoy free treatment. It's convenient.