Towards universal health coverage: lessons from 10 years of healthcare reform in China

Tao, Wenjuan; Zeng, Zhi; Dang, Haixia; Lu, Bingqing; Chuong, Linh; Yue, Dahai; Wen, Jin; Zhao, Rui; Li, Weimin; Kominski, Gerald F

Third, a strong PHC system should be regarded as a core component in realising UHC. Along with the new Declaration of Astana, PHC for health as a global priority is the pathway to reach the SDGs and UHC. 68 In the early days, some experience in PHC in China demonstrated that 'health for all' is a practical possibility, for example, the 'Patriotic Health Campaign' and 'Barefoot Doctors'. 69 The 'Patriotic Health Campaign' encouraged everyone to participate in public health activities, and aimed to improve sanitation, hygiene, health education, as well as combat infectious diseases. 70 Engagement of civil society is necessary to promote UHC. The 'Barefoot Doctors' model used limited medical resources to provide common disease diagnosis and prevention services to a large rural population. However, the Chinese healthcare system created adverse consequences after market-based reforms, in part due to a weakening of support for PHC. 71 Today, recognising the importance of revamping its PHC system, the Chinese government has made PHC a priority in its 'Healthy China 2030' strategy.