Zhang Yi

MIGRANT people account for a large percentage of the population of the city. However, their health has always been neglected.
"The situation has to be improved," said Ding Xiaocang, vice director of Jing'an District Health Bureau. "These people are always considered as an inferior group, and they receive less attention."
Ding said he was surprised to see more than 10 migrant workers living together in a 20-square-meter room when he paid a visit to them last summer.
"You can't imagine these conditions in such hot weather. How could they lead healthy lives in such a small space?"
He soon called for a resolution to the problem. and his proposal received full support from the district government. A set of measures have been drafted, and they are going to be implemented early next year.
"To insure these people will lead healthy lives, we will improve several aspects such as living environments, fire equipment,
disease prevention, food and water supplies and medical treatment services," become a "health district" and has made great progress.
Many groups have benefitted from the district's efforts.
"Besides the migrant population, aged people in the district have also profited from our work," Ding said.
The district is home to many aged people. To date, the average expected lifespan in the district has reached 80.66.
"Old people need medical treatment the most," he said. "It is said most medical costs are incurred in the last three years of
life, and during these three years, the costs are the highest in the last three months.
"In a 'health district,' people aim not only to live a long life but also to enjoy a life of sood quality.
"Simply trying to keep old people away from diseases is not our final goal," he said. "What we want is to improve the standard of health."
Old people aged over 70 in the district are a priority. For those above 80, the burea assigns doctors from community hospitals to visit their homes from time to time.
The district is also famous for the large Westgate Mall and Plaza 66. There are about 100,000 white-collar workers working in these buildings. Many of them suffer from "office diseases" including arthritis and dropsy.
"In August, we conducted a survey among white-collar workers," Ding said. "Acting on the feedback, we launched a series of activities concerning the workers' health problems and received their approval."
For example, health clubs were built in the office buildings to provide medical consultations and body-building guidance as well as seasonal nutritional suggestions.
Ding, a former doctor, said his current work offers him a great opportunity. "We are the first in the country to propose the
conception of a 'health district,'"he said."It is here that I can apply what I have learned in the past years to bring health to the residents. It is Such a meaningful career."

Shanghai Daily