Traditional Chinese medicine embodies profound philosophical wisdom, as well as the health preservation concepts and practical experiences of the Chinese nation accumulated over thousands of years. It is a precious treasure of ancient Chinese science and also a key to unlocking the treasure trove of Chinese civilization. The historical status and contemporary value of traditional Chinese medicine are being recognized by an increasing number of people.
In order to promote the revitalization and development of traditional Chinese medicine, the state has issued a series of policy documents. Among them, the “Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Promoting the Inheritance and Innovative Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine” is an important guiding document, which emphasizes the significant role of traditional Chinese medicine in preventive treatment of diseases, the treatment of major diseases, and disease rehabilitation.
The policy environment for traditional Chinese medicine has been continuously optimized, and the support has been steadily increased. In 2017, the Law on Traditional Chinese Medicine came into effect. In 2019, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council issued the “Opinions on Promoting the Inheritance and Innovative Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine”, and the State Council held a National Conference on Traditional Chinese Medicine. The service system of traditional Chinese medicine has been further improved. By the end of 2020, there were 5,482 traditional Chinese medicine hospitals nationwide. The number of beds in public traditional Chinese medicine hospitals per 1,000 people reached 0.68. The number of practicing (assistant) physicians of traditional Chinese medicine categories in health institutions per 1,000 people reached 0.48. 99% of community health service centers, 98% of township health centers, 90.6% of community health service stations, and 74.5% of village clinics were able to provide traditional Chinese medicine services. Public general hospitals at or above the second level with traditional Chinese medicine clinical departments accounted for 86.75%, and the number of registered traditional Chinese medicine clinics reached 26,000.
With continuous favorable policies for the revitalization of traditional Chinese medicine, the traditional Chinese medicine industry has ushered in a moment of takeoff. Let’s all support traditional Chinese medicine together and earnestly inherit, develop, and apply traditional Chinese medicine well.
