China unveils plans for national telemedicine network

 16-Feb-15, Health Care Law Today

Without question China remains the region of hottest interest for US companies creating international telemedicine programs. Hospitals and health systems, academic medical centers, physician enterprises and innovative entrepreneurs continue to look to China for new opportunities to expand their geographic footprint and offer expertise and meaningful integration into that market.

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On August 29, 2014, the National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHFPC) published interpretive guidance regarding telemedicine services in China. The documents include the “Opinions of the National Health and Family Planning Commission Regarding Promoting Medical Institutions’ Telemedicine Services,” reflecting China’s efforts to promote the adoption and use of telemedicine in the country. 

In January 2015 the NHFPC issued a new document, outlining an ambitious plan to build a uniform national telemedicine service network in China. The document, “Technical Guideline for Telemedicine Information System Construction (2014)” is a visionary 200-page blueprint for the creation of an interoperable, uniform service network in China, designed to allow China patients and medical institutions to enjoy seamless telemedicine services anywhere in China.

The Technical Guidance proposes construction of a uniform national telemedicine service network to enable large medical institutions and medical practitioners to extend their services to regional and rural healthcare platforms. 

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