Perspectivas históricas e econômicas sobre a saúde na China no século XXI / Historical and economic perspectives on healthcare in China in the twenty-first century

RESUMO

Resumo O artigo analisa as perspectivas históricas das reformas implementadas nos sistemas dos cuidados de saúde na China, desde Deng Xiaoping até Hu Jintao, com base em pesquisa bibliográfica e descritiva. Como resultado das decisões políticas e econômicas, uma série de reformas em saúde foi implementada a partir de 1980, com a introdução do mercado. Como resultado, houve alterações no acesso, na cobertura, na organização e no financiamento da saúde na China. Se nos governos de Deng e Jiang houve a diminuição da cobertura, do acesso e financiamento, Hu Jintao, ao entrar no século XXI, realiza tentativas de expandir a cobertura do seguro saúde visando à universalidade; aumentar o gasto com a saúde pública; reformar o mercado farmacêutico e os hospitais públicos.

ABSTRACT

Abstract The historical precursors of the reforms made to the healthcare systems in China from Deng Xiaoping to Hu Jintao are presented, based on a literature review and descriptive research. A series of healthcare reforms were introduced as of the 1980s in response to different political and economic policy decisions and the introduction of market forces. Accordingly, access to healthcare, and its coverage, organization, and financing underwent changes. While under Deng and Jiang, coverage, access, and funding were reduced, under Hu Jintao, at the turn of the twenty-first century, attempts were made to expand health insurance coverage with a view to making it universal, while spending on public health was increased and reforms were made to the pharmaceutical market and public hospitals.