China's healthcare system is overly reliant on large, over-burdened hospitals, which will struggle to cope with a spike in diseases linked to the fast-ageing population, the World Health Organisation says. "It is simply not sustainable to meet these challenges in a health system that relies on hospitals." China has been trying to overhaul its healthcare system, including promoting local, grassroots medical facilities and pledging to raise the number - and quality - of local GPs. However, low doctor salaries and a lack of trust by patients in local health centres has slowed progress. "But this is not how things should be in a well-functioning health system."

Source: Otago Daily Times August 20, 2016 04:18 UTC