China continues to promote tiered healthcare system

China's tiered healthcare system has essentially taken shape, said Zheng Zhe, vice minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on Monday.

The tiered system is designed to guide patients to seek care based on the urgency and complexity of their conditions. Under this system, common and frequently occurring illnesses are treated at primary care facilities, while severe or complex cases are referred to higher-level hospitals. This approach not only makes healthcare more accessible but also reduces the financial burden on patients.

Zheng noted that the General Office of the State Council recently issued the Measures on Accelerating the Development of a Tiered Healthcare System, which outlines four key initiatives.

First, integrating hospitals across different levels into a coordinated network with shared information systems.

Second, encouraging residents to make community clinics their first point of contact and utilizing family doctors to manage common diseases.

Third, establishing efficient referral centers to ensure a smooth transition for patients who need inpatient care from community clinics to larger hospitals.

Fourth, providing solid financial backing for this entire workflow through government subsidies, physician compensation reforms and optimized medical insurance reimbursement policies.

According to the press conference, primary healthcare facilities nationwide recorded 5.56 billion patient visits in 2025, accounting for 52.6% of the total. Both the volume and the proportion of primary care visits have continued to rise, highlighting the system's effectiveness. Additionally, the number of patients utilizing the two-way referral system has seen sustained growth, surging by over 50% in 2025 compared to 2020, making inter-hospital transfers much more convenient for the public.