QINGDAO will accelerate the construction and expansion of five hospitals and medical centers.

    The completion of some of the five projects at the end of this year, which will add 4,000 hospital beds, is expected to provide medical treatment for residents in the mid-east and west of the city.

    The only third-grade class-A Chinese medicine hospital, Qingdao Guoyitang Hospital, covering almost 60,000 square meters of floor space with 572 beds, is due to be completed at the end of the year.

    The new women’s and children’s medical center is planned to cover a floor area of 100,000 square meters with 1,000 beds.

    The first stage will have 600 beds and cover an area of 60,000 square meters and is due to be completed this year.

    Located in downtown Qingdao, the 17-floor expansion of Qingdao Central Hospital covers floor space of more than 67,000 square meters with 880 beds, due to be completed at the end of the year.

    The relocation of Qingdao No. 3 People’s Hospital in the northern city started this year. The first stage covers a floor area of over 70,000 square meters on 14 floors.

    Designed for 800 beds, the first stage is due to be completed in 2012.

    In the west coastal area of Jiaozhou Bay, Qingdao West Coastal Medical Center is ready to open with the 800-millon-yuan first stage completed covering a floor area of over 190,000 square meters with 1,000 beds. The second stage of the medical center will take the number of beds to 1,500.

    The city government has aims to achieve the middle level of public health services in developed countries by 2020.

    According to the government, each 1,000 residents will have access to a medical institute and two doctors, as well as access to 4.5 hospital beds by 2020.

    (Li Hao, Qing Bao)