A delegation of 15 US congressional aides led by Don Carlson, an advisor to the United States-Asia Foundation, visited Chongqing on April 18 to conduct a special study into the city's health system.

The study will help to increase the US Congress' understanding of China's healthcare system and enhance exchanges and cooperation between the two sides. 

Zhou Lin, deputy director of the Chongqing Municipal Health Commission, met with the delegation at the Foreign Affairs Office of the Chongqing Municipal Government. 

Zhou gave a briefing on the basic situation in Chongqing and detailed the city's medical and health service system and relevant operating mechanisms.

Carlson thanked Zhou for the warm reception and detailed introduction, which deepened the delegation's understanding of the development and operational management of Chongqing's health undertakings and Chongqing as a modern city. He said he hoped to intensify cooperation with Chongqing in healthcare.

At the meeting, persons in charge from relevant departments of the Chongqing Municipal Health Commission answered questions raised by the delegation, such as the consultation process, the graded diagnosis and treatment system, the differences in the accessibility of medical and health services between urban and rural areas, health financing, and health challenges caused by aging and urbanization.

Attendees also included officials from relevant departments and offices of the health commission, including the departments of information and statistics, reform, medical administration, grass-roots, science and education, pharmaceutical administration, and international cooperation.

Photo of Chongqing representatives and US delegation [Photo/wsjkw.cq.gov.cn]