Because of geographic and economic diversities, providing necessary care to everyone always has been a challenge in China. The economic growth in large cities and coastal areas in the past 20 years widened the gap between the people who can access care and those who cannot. Of those who have the access, the rich—logically—get the best care, while the poor cannot afford the basic medical attention.
One of the directives of the healthcare reform policy attempts to change this situation. Equal public health service is reflected in three areas: establishing a basic healthcare network; implementing major public health projects; and strengthening the capability of public health facilities. Besides the investment already in place to rebuild or improve existing lower-tier hospitals and clinics, China has been more active in organizing national programs in disease control and prevention.
During the recent flu season, the government provided H1N1 vaccine to everyone free of charge. The Ministry of Health also has designated a number of research centers around the country, focused on studying infectious diseases, cancer and other common illnesses, with the goal of finding the best diagnostic and treatment.