11-Sep-16 While demographers still assess the effects of the relaxation of the one-child policy, pregnant women and hospitals are feeling the squeeze. China forecasts that an extra 17 mn babies will be born within the next five years. In some of those years, there are expected to be more than 20 mn births. [image: South China Morning Post]

10-Sep-16 Studies in Taiwan and China have shown reductions in incident myopia of 25-50% when children spend an additional 40-80 minutes outdoors. In Taiwan, two hours of outdoor activity has been added to school programs. “Evidence that children who spend more time outdoors... are less likely to be or become myopic has been presented,” said Nina Jacobsen MD. [image: Zeiss]

31-Aug-16  Japanese ophthalmology specialist Santen Pharmaceutical has announced the start of operations of its joint venture with state-owned Chinese group Chongqing Kerui. This partnership, which will involve the establishment of China’s largest manufacturing site for eye care treatments in the city of Chongqing, promises to provide people in China with affordable ophthalmic products. [image: Santen Pharmaceutical]

08-Sep-16 Demand for sophisticated healthcare is high among the rich in Shanghai as their satisfaction with their own health and care for their parents are slightly below the national average. Over half of the rich people in Shanghai would like to try private hospitals and Internet-based health care services as alternatives to public hospitals. [image: Shanghai Daily]

05-Sep-16 The Shenzhen government started to encourage private healthcare investment three years ago. The city offers a reward of RMB20 mn (USD3.3 mn) to private investors who set up, or upgrade a medical facility to become, a top-level hospital. It also provides other financial support, including subsidies to hospitals for receiving patients, to encourage private investment. [image: Silk Gate]