"While higher healthcare spending was already expected as a long-term trend, the coronavirus may inspire structural upgrades and reforms to China’s healthcare system.After the SARS outbreak in 2003, the Chinese government invested in areas where the healthcare system’s deficiencies were exposed.
Establishing consistency in the capabilities of different hospitals The coronavirus outbreak showed that there is not only substantial variation in the capabilities of hospitals across regions, but also within single cities.In China, large and better-resourced hospitals are responsible for a disproportionate share of service delivery. Just eight percent of hospitals care for over 50 percent of all patients.According to the consultancy Bain & Company, of 203 smaller community hospitals in Wuhan – the epicenter of the outbreak – only 10 of them were prepared to admit and treat patients exhibiting coronavirus symptoms.
China’s healthcare sector a priority investment area this decade Facing a rapidly aging population and citizens demanding higher quality services, China’s healthcare sector was already positioned to become an area of priority government attention in the coming decade. The outbreak of the coronavirus, however, has added urgency. While the outbreak highlighted the multitude of China’s technology achievements and systemic strengths, it also exposed numerous gaps in delivery of care.As China strives to improve its healthcare capacity, there will be substantial opportunities for producers of medical devices, hygiene products, and other healthcare amenities. Opportunities will not be limited to traditional medical companies, but also educational institutions and digital disruptors.The coronavirus has still not been eradicated and is expected to return next winter. This means immediate service delivery will remain the Chinese government’s priority in the short-term. Once the current crisis is overcome, however, there will likely be an accelerated process of identifying which gaps to invest in the Chinese healthcare system."
