Plan aims to improve community services

More quality community-based public services, including preschool education, nursing and medical services, will be available by 2025, according to a plan released by the State Council, China's Cabinet.

The plan said that by 2025, 80 percent of communities in rural areas will be equipped with comprehensive service facilities including stores, schools and hospitals, up from 65.7 percent in 2020. All urban communities should have comprehensive service facilities by 2025.

It also says 18 community workers should be available for every 10,000 urban residents by 2025, up from 15 in 2020.

Nursing services for the elderly, especially those with disabilities and financial problems, have been made a priority in the improvement of community services.

"The aging population will keep growing over the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, and grow further by 2035," Ou Xiaoli, director of the National Development and Reform Commission's social development department, said at a news conference on Wednesday. "It's necessary to develop community services offering the elderly meals, house cleaning, showers and medical treatment.

"We should first secure people's basic needs rather than talking big. We can't let the elderly living in urban areas be left behind in the internet era, and don't have the heart to let the elderly in the countryside－those in their 80s or 90s－cook their own meals without any help."

He said residents' basic and urgent needs for babysitting, education, nursing services and culture and sports facilities were being ignored by the management of some communities, with staff members only focusing on administrative matters.

"Communities in the new era carry people's wishes for a good life for all ages," Ou said. "We will continue to introduce more domestic services to communities and diversify some basic services providing public goods including sports, maintenance, retailing and even hairdressing in the future."

Some provinces have explored new ways to make community services, especially those focusing on the elderly, more accessible.

For example, communities in Gongshu district, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, introduced vehicles to help the elderly take showers early last year. Some elderly people have difficulties taking baths at home due to disabilities or a shortage of professional nursing personnel.

The district's civil affairs bureau said the bath-assistance team also helps seniors check their blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

In addition to such nursing services, the plan also emphasizes care for juveniles, medical and legal services, and emergency response services.

It encourages more companies and social groups to invest in the sector and urges young people to get involved in social work to secure high-quality community services.

Wang Aiwen, vice-minister of civil affairs, said at the news conference that it's necessary to enhance the training of community workers, and encourage key groups such as college graduates and demobilized military personnel to take grassroots jobs in communities.