National Health and Family Planning Commission Leadership Affirms Strong Support for Internet Healthcare Services Advancing to New Heights

On May 19, entrusted by the Party Leadership Group of the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), Jin Xiaotao, Deputy Director and member of the Party Leadership Group of the NHFPC, made a public statement at the opening ceremony of the 2017 China Health Information Technology Exchange Conference regarding the draft for comments on internet-based diagnosis and treatment, which has recently drawn significant attention from the industry:The National Health and Family Planning Commission attaches great importance to internet-based health and medical services and will support this emerging sector in reaching new heights.。

Jin Xiaotao, Deputy Director and Party Group Member of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, delivered a speech at the conference.

Addressing thousands of healthcare administrators from across the country and representatives from nearly 100 mainstream media outlets attending the conference, Deputy Director Jin Xiaotao delivered the keynote speech at the opening ceremony.In his speech, he elaborated in depth on the earnest expectations, development goals, and current progress of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council regarding the informatization of national health and the application and development of health and medical big data,He provided an explanation regarding the recently circulated “Administrative Measures for Internet-Based Diagnosis and Treatment (Trial) (Draft for Comment)” and the “Opinions of the National Health and Family Planning Commission on Promoting the Development of Internet Medical Services (Draft for Comment),” both issued by the General Office of the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

Deputy Director Jin Xiaotao stated that, leveraging the application of advanced information technologies such as the Internet, big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, positive results have already been achieved in areas including appointment registration, process management, clinical pathways, tiered diagnosis and treatment, online consultation, and remote services. Building on these experiences, the National Health and Family Planning Commission is further strengthening efforts to improve, guide, and promote the management of Internet-based health and medical services.

Next, the Party Leadership Group of the National Health and Family Planning Commission will solicit opinions from various sectors through appropriate channels on a broader scale, and introduce relevant administrative measures or guidance in due course to align with the development trend of “Internet Plus.”

Regarding the development of the internet healthcare industry, Deputy Director Jin Xiaotao clarified the missions and responsibilities of all parties at the conference. The National Health and Family Planning Commission must adhere to the principles of “planning-led guidance, platform-driven promotion, security assurance, and innovative development”; social organizations should focus on “improvement, enhancement, service, and development.”As market entities, enterprises are tasked with adhering to the principle of “being guided by big data, strong momentum, and significant development, creating a new development model, promoting substantial social and economic benefits for all entities, and establishing a key pillar industry.”; All sectors of society should help foster a favorable ecological environment for development. Jin Xiaotao called on all stakeholders to “contribute strength, ignite passion, and engage in nationwide co-construction and shared benefits to build a Healthy China.”

In the subsequent discussion on the infrastructure and development opportunities of the Internet healthcare industry,Deputy Director Jin Xiaotao cited the tangible results achieved by the internet medical health industry in terms of information-based public benefit and convenience.IncludingHealth Card Issuance, Remote Pilot Programs, Cloud Hospital Platform Services, Two-Way Referrals, and Online Consultationsetc.

"China Health Information Technology Exchange Conference"It is the largest and most influential grand gathering for health information technology and academic exchange in China. The timely response from the National Health and Family Planning Commission has undoubtedly reassured the industry.“a reassurance.” said a leader from a local Health and Family Planning Commission who attended the meeting,With the public statement issued by the Party Leadership Group of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, misconceptions circulating online, such as the alleged “ban on internet-based medical consultations,” will be dispelled.. Guided by the national “Internet Plus” strategy and the healthcare reform principles such as multi-site practice for physicians, the draft for comments may subsequently undergo significant adjustments to safeguard an environment conducive to innovative development in the industry.

As the most innovative and dynamic sector of the health industry, internet healthcare has long been supported by the National Health and Family Planning Commission, which issued the “Opinions on Promoting Remote Medical Services in Medical Institutions” as early as 2014.For the first time, it was proposed that remote services provided by healthcare institutions to patients outside the facility through information technology constitute telemedicine.。

In 2015, the National Development and Reform Commission, the National Health and Family Planning Commission, and other ministries launched pilot programs for telemedicine in five provinces and autonomous regions, including Guizhou and Yunnan, driving breakthrough innovations in telemedicine and online medical insurance reimbursement. As a key component of the “Healthy China” initiative, the development of telemedicine and smart healthcare was incorporated into the national 13th Five-Year Plan in 2016.