Liu Qingmin (first from left) talks with an elderly woman during a visit to a nursing home. [Photo provided by Procuratorate Daily]

Liu Qingmin, a doctor of 44 years in Weiquan village of Sishui county in East China's Shandong province, has been on call around the clock ever since he got a cell phone, so he can swiftly respond to the needs of the locals.

Liu, also a deputy to the National People's Congress, said that COVID-19 outbreaks have made his family busier than ever as the village's clinic is composed of just three people – Liu, his son and daughter-in-law.

As the clinic is the heart of the pandemic response in the village, the trio have cooperated to not only meet the demand for medicine and medical services of priority groups, such as children, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases, but have also assisted in epidemiological investigations and the management of those placed under quarantine at home.

"We also give priority to elderly people who live alone or have difficulties moving around, so we make regular visits to conduct physical examinations and tell them latest information and polices on COVID-19 prevention and control," said Liu.

The village doctor has also helped introduce more detailed measures for an effective COVID-19 response, such as closing loopholes in night patrol and helping locals maintain good hygiene in daily life.

As a national lawmaker, Liu has put forward more than 20 suggestions since 2018 to enhance medical and healthcare services at grassroots level. He called for more efforts to address problems, such as the unbalanced urban-rural distribution of medical resources and the shortage of professionals, and to ensure the wellbeing of the elderly people.

Over the past two years, Shandong has launched a series of campaigns to enhance grassroots medical service capacities in rural areas. Liu said he will spare no efforts to upgrade his village clinic.

"I hope we will have a stronger team of village doctors and better services, so local people can truly enjoy quality medical services on their doorstep," Liu said.