Under China's strategic initiative to balance medical resource distribution, Jiangsu Province is accelerating the development of regional medical centers. Following the establishment of nine specialized centers in the first phase, the provincial health commission recently announced the launch of seven new specialized regional medical centers, marking a significant expansion of the healthcare infrastructure.
Strategic Importance of Regional Medical Centers
The regional medical center initiative forms a crucial part of China's healthcare reform, designed to optimize resource allocation, improve regional medical capabilities, and reduce cross-province patient transfers. While Jiangsu boasts relatively advanced medical resources as an economically developed region, disparities persist between urban and rural areas.
These centers aim to consolidate high-quality medical resources, enhance primary care institutions' capabilities, and promote equitable distribution of healthcare services to better meet public health demands.
New Specialized Centers Announced
The second phase establishes centers in seven critical specialties: intensive care, hematology, nephrology, geriatrics, dermatology, ophthalmology, and stomatology. The selection process identified 21 designated centers and 16 development institutions through rigorous evaluation.
Key Appointments Include:
- Intensive Care: Affiliated Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing Gulou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University
- Hematology: Affiliated Hospital of Southeast University, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Children's Hospital of Soochow University
- Nephrology: Eastern Theater General Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Southeast University, Wuxi People's Hospital
- Geriatrics: Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, Wuxi Second People's Hospital
- Dermatology: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Dermatology Hospital, Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital
- Ophthalmology: Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital (primary center)
- Stomatology: Jiangsu Stomatological Hospital, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital
Functional Requirements and Development Standards
Each center must demonstrate leadership in complex case treatment, clinical research, talent development, and hospital management. Construction standards align with national benchmarks, emphasizing:
- Enhanced diagnosis and treatment capabilities for severe illnesses
- Clinical research and technology transformation
- Professional training programs
- Management system optimization
Local health authorities will implement supporting policies regarding funding, personnel management, insurance pricing, and talent recruitment to facilitate development.
First Phase Achievements
The initial phase in May 2024 established 32 centers and 13 development institutions across nine specialties including trauma, cardiovascular diseases, pediatrics, oncology, and neurology. These have significantly contributed to elevating provincial healthcare standards.
Challenges and Future Directions
While progress is notable, challenges remain in strengthening coordination between centers and primary care institutions, retaining top medical talent, and optimizing resource sharing mechanisms.
Future efforts will focus on increased investment, policy refinement, and technological innovation to establish these centers as comprehensive hubs for medical services, research, and education. The ultimate goal remains achieving a healthcare ecosystem where routine care is accessible locally while serious conditions can be treated within the province.
Jiangsu's initiative represents both a milestone in regional healthcare development and a valuable model for national medical reform, offering insights for other regions pursuing similar healthcare system improvements.