The lead Editorial in this week's Lancet discusses the future of healthcare in China. It reviews the themes covered by The Lancet Series on Health Policy Reform in China. It says: "2008 has been a watershed for China. The aftermath of the Sichuan earthquake showed the Government's commitment to its citizens, and the will to set priorities and rapidly mobilise resources on a profound scale for public welfare. The Olympic Games in Beijing proved a showcase of architectural imagination, dazzling entertainment, and athletic prowess. More recently, China has launched and safely returned astronauts from space. Empowered by a strong economy and a talented population, there seems little that this extraordinary country cannot achieve. Yet, for ordinary citizens in China, health care is the major concern and there is wide agreement that the health system requires reform."
But the Editorial concludes: "The Series has focused on health systems. However, in all countries, health systems do not function in a vacuum, but as part of a larger political context with specific challenges and opportunities unique to that environment. China is at a far more complex stage in its history than any analysis of a health system can describe. Issues surrounding human rights, freedom of expression, Tibet, and Taiwan warrant additional, informed discussion. Health care is a starting point, by providing a cohesive force for wellbeing that can contribute to wider dialogue within China, and between China and the rest of the world. In this spirit, our Series—Health System Reform in China—is offered as a foundation for further collaboration and progress."
Full editorial: http://press.thelancet.com/editorials2510.pdf
The Lancet