The Public Health Bureau of Beijing has asked that every community health center of the city establish digital medical files for at least 60 percent of its senior citizens aged 65 or older.
The proportion will go up to 90 percent by 2003, healthy officials said recently.
Made up of a family medical file and a personal health file, these digital medical files record senior citizens' blood type, drug allergy, case history, fitness, diet, sleeping habits, smoking history, drinking history, contact phone numbers and addresses.
The files stored in a computer network of community health centers will help medical staff members track the senior citizens'health conditions, offer them timely guidance and provide customized services.
Meanwhile, an alarm system will be installed to help senior citizens summon aid in case of sudden illness.
Statistics revealed that over two million people aged 60 or older are living in Beijing. In three years, the number will take up more than 15 percent of the city's population.
(Xinhua News Agency January 7, 2002)
