Xizang navigates road to better healthcare

More improvements

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Xizang, and throughout the decades, healthcare in the region has undergone continuous improvement.

Between 2021 and 2025, Xizang's healthcare sector experienced notable expansion, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The number of healthcare institutions climbed from 6,938 to 7,231, while bed capacity saw an increase from 18,942 to 21,488. The total number of healthcare professionals rose from 40,899 to 50,766.

Total funding allocated to the health sector in the region reached 60.89 billion yuan in the 2021-2025 period, marking an increase of 64.19 percent over the previous five-year period.

Since 2013, Xizang's regional health committee has made steady efforts to promote health checkups for urban and rural residents. Around 22.4 million health checkups have been completed over the period — covering the entire population.

The government provides an annual subsidy for each resident, which was increased to 164 yuan ($24.12) this year, to cover the cost of the checkups. Residents over age 65 receive 200 yuan. Beyond that, many of the subsequent medical services, such as some medications to treat long-term illnesses, are free.

This year, further efforts will be made to expand access to medical services through the deployment of additional mobile health diagnostic vehicles. Upgrades to existing onboard equipment are also planned, along with the distribution of motorcycles and portable diagnostic kits to village clinics, enabling grassroots health workers to deliver faster and more efficient basic checkups.

These efforts have already shown positive results at the county level. In Chonggyai county, for example, 14,000 residents have had health checkups this year, with the participation rate exceeding 88 percent.

"Health checkups for rural residents are an important element of our livelihood project," said Pasang Phenthok, head of Chonggyai County Central Hospital.

The checkups cover liver and kidney function, test blood sugar levels, and include chest X-rays and ultrasounds.

This year, free prenatal health checkups were introduced, along with screenings for major infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, HIV and tuberculosis.

Illnesses common in Xizang are being monitored for early detection. They include hypertension and polycythemia, a blood disorder that farmers and herders can develop at high altitudes because of reduced oxygen. The condition results in the thickening of blood and increases the risk of blood clots, strokes and heart attacks.