Removing financial barriers to accessing quality health services

China is committed to providing universal health care (UHC) that provides the public with access to affordable and high quality health care services. Since health reforms began, government health expenditure has tripled and much has been done to improve the financial efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of the overall health system.

WHO China provides technical support to the government on health financing reforms, monitoring health financing-related indicators and progress, and engaging in high-level policy dialogue with the government stakeholders.

In 2017 WHO China submitted to the government a series of recommendations on establishing an ongoing adjustment mechanism for the national reimbursement drug list. The recommendations are based upon World Health Assembly Resolutions, the process for updating the global Model Essential Medicines List, and evidence from other countries. The establishment of such mechanism would expand and accelerate the public’s access to newly available medicines, especially when there is high public health need.