Currently, the coverage rate of Shanghai rural cooperative medical schemes has risen from 85% in 2005 to 98.6% by now, basically realizing the objective of providing insurance for anything that should be ensured. The per capita level of insurance has also increased from last year’s RMB306 yuan to this year’s RMB383 yuan.

As the level of insurance rises, it is imperative that the quality of medical service should catch up. Not long ago, Shanghai officially launched the program of cultivating local rural doctors, with the first batch of 51 high school graduate trainees from Shanghai’s suburbs. They will receive a 3-year professional training and after graduation they will return to their permanent residences and work as doctors on farm.