National People's Congress (NPC) deputy Chen Kun has recently submitted a proposal on raising village doctors' salaries and bettering their work conditions to improve healthcare for rural residents.
Chen is a doctor at a clinic in the village of Longtan in Zhaoping town, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. She is also president of the women's federation in Masheng village, 9 kilometers away.
"I live in Masheng. No doctor is available in Longtan, thus the villagers would be not able to see any doctor there if I didn't go," said Chen.
Her husband is also a rural doctor. Every morning, the couple starts from Masheng. One goes to the village of Yuli, located 25 kilometers away, and the other goes to Longtan.
It is common in impoverished areas for doctors to practice in other villages. "Some rural doctors even practice in a several villages," Chen said.
In recent years, the government has continuously increased input and policy support. Rural health services have gradually improved, and the number of rural doctors has continued to increase.
However, there is still a large gap with a growing demand for medical and health services from rural residents along with medical reform, Chen said. She has worked as a rural doctor for 20 years.
Rural doctors play an important role in the practice of new health reforms.
At the "Two Sessions" meetings Chen suggested there should be a gradual implementation of integrated management for rural health personnel through institutional innovation.
She also said there should be a change in the doctors' status and improvements made in their welfare and salary. Meanwhile the State should also improve elderly support to resolve worries about working in rural areas.
For example, although some people refuse to go to hospitals for antenatal care and childbirth. Chen has persisted in explaining policies to people and taking concern for their physical health.　
In order to improve the doctor-patient relationships and reduce medical disputes, it is necessary to crack down on corruption and violations of the law in the medical field, increase supervision of medical workers to prevent dereliction of duty or illegal gain through medical treatment, and protect the interests of the country and patients.
On the other hand, officials should continue to improve relevant laws and regulations so that medical disputes can be resolved, and grassroots medical workers have a harmonious and stable environment to provide health services.