The Conghua district government has enhanced its local public health services through years of efforts, which last year stood the test of the COVID-19 pandemic and secured the life and health of local residents. 

Three-tier public health service network established

By the end of 2020, there were 374 medical facilities in the district, including eight hospitals, 12 township-level health centers, 220 village-level health stations, 125 outpatient clinics and five specialized public health bodies. A district-township-village three-tier public health service network had been established. A township-level disease control and prevention center and a maternal and child health and family planning service station were also set up in 2020, highlighting functions of disease prevention and control as well as family planning. 

To enhance work efficiency on public health, a joint meeting system on major disease prevention was established, and working teams on national public health projects were set up. 

Medical infrastructure improved

The renovation of the district maternal and child health hospital was completed. The district traditional Chinese medicine hospital and Taiping town health center relocation projects were begun. The standardized construction of 220 village health stations was completed. All of these have effectively improved rural medical treatment environment in Conghua. 

In 2020, the district disease control and prevention center purchased lab equipment to enhance local testing capabilities. The center upgrade is included in the 2021 district government agenda, with a budget of 14 million yuan ($2.19 million) for lab upgrades which will further enhance the district’s ability to respond to public health emergencies. 

Epidemic surveillance and alert systems have been strengthened, with standardized fever clinics completed along with network information management systems for infectious diseases. 

Moreover, vaccination units were standardized and investment was put into improving the capacity of the district's cold chain vaccine distribution. 

Public health emergency response capacity elevated

The pre-hospitalization medical emergency system was strengthened by upgrading equipment for ambulances, drivers and stretcher bearers. The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University in Conghua district has stepped up disciplines such as infectious diseases and critical care to enhance its emergency treatment capacity. 

Special teams on emergency medical rescue, epidemiological investigation and laboratory testing were established and trainings were provided. A minimum inventory of emergency materials was made to improve the emergency material reserve system. 

In terms of improving psychological health following major emergencies, joint efforts by district hospitals and medical institutions were made to create a medical intervention team with the social psychological service. 

Health management of key population and key diseases strengthened

Maternal and child healthcare services have been improved, with a focus on the construction of treatment centers for pregnant women and children with critical conditions. 

The district health authorities carried out occupational health examinations and established an occupational disease prevention and control joint-meeting system to improve departmental coordination. 

Efforts were also made in other areas such as improving mental health services, the prevention and control of key diseases including AIDS, tuberculosis and hepatitis B, and of chronic diseases, and accelerating information sharing by creating and sharing electronic medical records.