China is moving ahead with plans to establish a nationwide long-term care insurance system, aimed at supporting its rapidly ageing population and easing the financial burden on families caring for elderly relatives.
The scheme is designed to help cover the cost of care for people unable to look after themselves due to age, illness or disability.
The policy is being led by key government bodies, including the National Healthcare Security Administration, which has overseen pilot programmes in several cities in recent years. These trials have provided valuable experience and are now being expanded into a unified national framework.
Long-term care insurance will fund services such as nursing care, home assistance, rehabilitation and support in care facilities. This will allow older people who need help with daily activities, including eating, bathing and mobility, to access professional care without placing the full financial responsibility on their families.
The initiative comes as China faces a rapidly ageing population. Longer life expectancy and falling birth rates mean the number of elderly citizens is rising sharply, increasing pressure on traditional family-based care.
Historically, older people relied heavily on relatives. However, social changes, including smaller families and urban migration, have made this model increasingly difficult to sustain.
Funding for the new system is expected to come from a combination of individual contributions, government support and existing medical insurance funds. While details may vary between regions, authorities aim to build a stable and sustainable system with some local flexibility.
A key objective is to make care more accessible and consistent. At present, the quality and availability of elderly care services vary significantly between urban and rural areas. Officials hope a unified system will improve standards, expand access and support the growth of the eldercare sector.
The rollout is also expected to create opportunities in healthcare and social services, with rising demand for trained carers, nursing homes and rehabilitation centres. Authorities say this could improve quality of life for older people while boosting employment in related industries.
Experts say the nationwide scheme marks an important step towards strengthening China’s social safety net. While challenges remain - including ensuring adequate funding and a sufficient workforce - the policy is seen as a necessary response to demographic change.
Further details are expected as the plan develops, including how contributions will be calculated and who will qualify for benefits. For millions of families, the scheme could provide much-needed financial relief and peace of mind.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, have said the Strait...
Tens of thousands of people filled a stadium in Douala on Friday, hoping to catch a glimpse of Pope Leo during what is expected to be the largest e...
Netflix shares fell sharply on Friday after the streaming group issued a weaker-than-expected outlook and said chairman and co-founder Reed Hasting...
AmerAmerican businesses are preparing for a major moment next week as the U.S. government launches a long-awaited system to return billions in unla...
Türkiye and the World Bank have signed a new partnership to strengthen Türkiye’s connectivity with Europe, Asia and the Middle East...
Tens of thousands of people filled a stadium in Douala on Friday, hoping to catch a glimpse of Pope Leo during what is expected to be the largest event of his African tour.
Netflix shares fell sharply on Friday after the streaming group issued a weaker-than-expected outlook and said chairman and co-founder Reed Hastings will step down from the board.
AmerAmerican businesses are preparing for a major moment next week as the U.S. government launches a long-awaited system to return billions in unlawfully collected tariffs.
Myanmar’s newly formalised head of state, President Min Aung Hlaing, has authorised an amnesty that will see 4,335 prisoners released from the country’s overcrowded jails, state television reported on Friday.
The past 24 hours of the Russia-Ukraine war have seen a drastic escalation in both aerial bombardment and frontline losses.
Dubai’s most iconic hotel, the Burj Al Arab, is set to close for the first time since opening in 1999 as it begins an extensive 18-month refurbishment aimed at preserving its status as a global symbol of luxury.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, have said the Strait of Hormuz is now “completely open” to all commercial shipping for the remainder of the ceasefire period. Araghchi links the move to the ceasefire in Lebanon.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that there was a "good chance" of a peace deal between Lebanon and Israel happening soon, after he announced a 10-day ceasefire between the two countries.
Russia published addresses of manufacturers allegedly producing drones or components for Ukraine on Wednesday (15 April), warning European countries against plans to step up UAV supplies to Kyiv.
Tens of thousands of people filled a stadium in Douala on Friday, hoping to catch a glimpse of Pope Leo during what is expected to be the largest event of his African tour.
AmerAmerican businesses are preparing for a major moment next week as the U.S. government launches a long-awaited system to return billions in unlawfully collected tariffs.
More than half of Haiti’s population is facing acute food insecurity, prompting the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to warn that recent progress in tackling hunger remains fragile and could quickly be reversed without urgent support.
Myanmar’s newly formalised head of state, President Min Aung Hlaing, has authorised an amnesty that will see 4,335 prisoners released from the country’s overcrowded jails, state television reported on Friday.
The global financial blockade on Caracas has ended, with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bankannouncing they have resumed formal dealings with Venezuela.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment