Source: CCTV.com

04-07-2009 18:15

China has been trying to improve medical conditions in its vast rural areas for the last six years, but obstacles remain.

China has been trying to improve medical conditions in its vast rural areas for the last six years, but obstacles remain.

Wang Laishun is an elderly farmer in a village in Hebei province in north China. He was diagnosed with asthma two weeks ago in a township clinic. His family sent him to the county hospital for better treatment. But Wang Laishun had only a simple check up. He says that' all he can afford.

Wang Laishun, farmer of Huailai County, Hebei Province, said, "I could not afford to do more than a check up in the county hospital. Even that cost me over 300 yuan. That's a lot for me."

Wang Laishun's concern is shared by millions of Chinese farmers: costs at county or city level hospitals are far greater than at local township or village level clinics, especially for out-patients. And farmers get more of their costs covered at clinics than at big hospitals. So most are unwilling to spend a lot of their limited disposable income on better medical services.

Zhuang zhande, director of Huailai County Township Clinic, said, "Most local farmers aren't willing to use big hospitals. Some poor farmers would rather take some medicine first without knowing what's wrong. And that has often delayed important treatment."

Township and village clinics can provide timely services to residents, but often fall short when it comes to trained personnel and proper facilities. Farmers say what they urgently need is better clinics near home.

Editor:Zhang Ning