China expands pediatric care in TCM hospitals

An AI robot specialized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) provides health check service at the service robots exhibition area of the 2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, Sept. 7, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]

Over 95 percent of China's top-tier public Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) hospitals have established pediatric departments as part of efforts to enhance healthcare services for children, authorities said Tuesday.

At a press conference held by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, officials revealed that by the end of 2023, over 95 percent of tertiary-level and 72 percent of secondary-level public TCM hospitals nationwide had set up pediatric units.

They also noted that TCM holds unique advantages in treating common childhood illnesses and delivering preventive healthcare services.

The administration is carrying out pilot programs that apply TCM approaches to tackle pressing childhood health issues such as obesity, scoliosis and myopia.

By November 2025, authorities aim to achieve full pediatric department coverage in all tertiary public TCM hospitals and establish pediatric units in over 80 percent of secondary public TCM hospitals.