Liu Minxia

    mllmx@msn.com

    A SHENZHEN hospital specializing in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was recognized yesterday as a third-level grade-A hospital, the highest in Chinese hospital hierarchy, the 11th in the city and the first funded by Futian District to become a top-class hospital.

    Previously called Shenzhen Futian District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, the hospital was renamed Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine Shenzhen Hospital in July last year after it signed a cooperation deal with the university with the aim of making comprehensive improvement under Shenzhen’s Sanming Project. The project encourages outside medical resources to establish a presence in the city, where medical services have relatively been lagging behind.

    The Guangzhou university, which agreed to help the Futian hospital become a grade-A hospital within two years following the deal, has offered medical staff trainings and sent its leading doctors to work from time to time in Shenzhen.

    Zhang Tianfeng, the hospital president, said the hospital has learned a lot in the process of gearing up to meet the 419 standards set for top-grade hospitals.

    Luo Lexuan, director of Shenzhen’s health commission, said TCM is becoming increasingly recognized, both by the country and patients. Earlier this month, the Central Government issued a white paper that gives strategic importance to TCM. Soon after that Shenzhen was tasked to pilot TCM medical reform, Luo said.