China expands TCM gynecology services nationwide

More than 2,600 secondary or higher-level traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospitals have established gynecology departments, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine announced on Monday.

China's hospital system follows a three-tier structure, with tertiary hospitals at the highest level.

In addition, more than 1,300 maternal and child health institutions at the secondary or tertiary levels have set up TCM clinical units. Efforts have also been made to strengthen research support and talent development in the field of TCM gynecology.

Ouyang Bo, deputy director of the administration's department of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine and ethnic group medicine, said the administration aims to increase the proportion of tertiary maternal and child health institutions with a TCM unit to 95 percent by 2030.

Ouyang added that the administration plans to explore the role of TCM in preserving fertility, promoting postpartum recovery, and preventing common gynecological conditions.