The government of Xiamen's Siming district in eastern Fujian province signed a pilot contract with Deshantang – a private medical institution – for the first time on June 28.

During the signing ceremony, a local representative signed the first service contract with a Deshantang family doctor on behalf of local residents.

A representative signed the first service contract with a Deshantang's family doctor on June 28, on behalf of local residents. [Photo/sunnews.cn]

According to local media reports, the new contracting services for family doctors are the result of recent efforts to improve the medical and health care system.

The new system will allow residents to maintain contact with a single family doctor of their choice, which is helpful for doctors in better understanding past illnesses and prescribing the best medications and treatments for their patients.

Siming district launched a pilot family doctor service as early as 2015. A total of 244,000 people signed contracts with family doctors from 10 community health service centers, accounting for 31.29 percent of the district's population, by June 2019.

In order to improve services and alleviate the shortage of family doctors, the district government decided to cooperate with private medical institutions.

Founded in 1997, Deshantang is the first private medical institution in the city to conduct community service for the elderly.