Health
Before Mao
-Healthcare was basic- However, more doctors were trained, and more
hospitals were opened in the 1920s and 30s.
-Although, many people still relied on traditional Chinese medical
techniques like herbalism and acupuncture
-Public healthcare was not a priority in terms of spending. It never rose up
to 2.6% of the state budget up to 1956
During Mao
-Party decided that the priority should be on prevention of disease rather
than expensive cures
-Cadres were trained to show the peasants how to prevent disease: This
included public hygiene and sanitation.
-Patriotic health campaigns sent cadres into the countryside to educate
illiterate peasants on disease and the importance of health.
Success/Failure:
-During the Great Leap Forward, over 800 Western hospitals were built
and established in the communes
-Number of doctors trained in modern techniques rose from 40,000 in
1949 to 150,000 in 1965
-By the 1960s, medical schools were graduating 25,000 new doctors per
year
-Cases of parasitic diseases and tuberculosis decreased
-Lack of funding
-The Western style hospitals were only built in cities
-Village health centres were inadequate
-Uneven health provision between rural and urban areas
-More could have been done with the financial investment
Women’s Federation (Midwifery)
Before Mao
-Healthcare was basic- However, more doctors were trained, and more
hospitals were opened in the 1920s and 30s.
-Although, many people still relied on traditional Chinese medical
techniques like herbalism and acupuncture
-Public healthcare was not a priority in terms of spending. It never rose up
to 2.6% of the state budget up to 1956
During Mao
-Party decided that the priority should be on prevention of disease rather
than expensive cures
-Cadres were trained to show the peasants how to prevent disease: This
included public hygiene and sanitation.
-Patriotic health campaigns sent cadres into the countryside to educate
illiterate peasants on disease and the importance of health.
Success/Failure:
-During the Great Leap Forward, over 800 Western hospitals were built
and established in the communes
-Number of doctors trained in modern techniques rose from 40,000 in
1949 to 150,000 in 1965
-By the 1960s, medical schools were graduating 25,000 new doctors per
year
-Cases of parasitic diseases and tuberculosis decreased
-Lack of funding
-The Western style hospitals were only built in cities
-Village health centres were inadequate
-Uneven health provision between rural and urban areas
-More could have been done with the financial investment
Women’s Federation (Midwifery)
