Illegal Medical Clinics

Posted on 22 December 2009.

"In a village on the outskirts of Beijing," according to a recent BBC report, "a red cross and the word ‘clinic' have been hand painted on a sign hanging outside a backstreet shop.

Inside there is a table and desk, a bed with a dirty pink sheet on it, and a set of shelves covered with boxes and bottles of medicine. People go there to seek medical advice, admits the man in charge, although he refuses to show the BBC the clinic's permission to practise. Dressed in a black jacket and jeans, he does not look like a doctor and turns away when asked about his own medical training."

In 2008 alone, Beijing closed down more than 3,300 of these unregulated clinics, which are often staffed by people with no formal medical qualifications. However, those with little income and no medical insurance may feel they have no choice but to use them. "If my child got a cold or a fever I'd have to take him to a proper place," says one Beijing-based migrant worker, "but if it was me who was ill I wouldn't bother" (BBC). Most such clinics are on the outskirts of the city, often near large construction sites that employ hundreds of migrant workers.

Last year, China unveiled a master plan to improve healthcare over the coming decade. The country aims to spend more than 850 billion yuan (US$124 billion) to provide fair and affordable services for everyone. Authorities also pledged to build 2,000 county hospitals and 5,000 township clinics in rural areas in the following three years. Health experts have described the plan as "a step in the right direction" (China Daily).

In the meantime, Beijing's city government has launched a campaign to close down illegal clinics and hopes to persuade poorer people that they could endanger their health by visiting them. But, as the BBC suggests, "While people remain poor, black clinics will remain tempting."

Pray that the plan to improve healthcare and provide fair and affordable services for everyone would be quickly implemented and will make a real difference for the poorest of China's citizens.

Pray that illegal medical clinics would be closed down by the authorities and prevented from re-opening, so that people's health will not be endangered by them.

Pray for more Christians to become involved in providing good quality healthcare for those who are currently unable to afford treatment. Pray for God's blessing and provision for all those who are already involved in this ministry.