Bringing Highly Technological Urolithiasis Care to a Billion People: What Is China Doing?

Abstract

Currently, lithotripter development is in a very advanced stage in China, and there are a large number of lithotripter centers in China. However, compared to the number of people in China, the number of lithotripter centers is insufficient to meet the needs of the population. Even if all patients who require such treatment went to the urban hospitals, the capacity in those centers is inadequate. The fee for such surgery is not high, and in urban areas most of the fee is covered by medical insurance. However, for peasants in rural areas, medical insurance does not adequately cover their treatment costs. This becomes problematic for these peasants as their salaries in comparable occupations are lower compared to those in urban areas. China is now working on models that will provide medical insurance for patients from rural areas.