A doctor offers health service to elderly people in Maozhuang Village, Duntou Town, Nantong City, January 4, 2023. (CFP Photo)
Health authorities in East China's Jiangsu Province have coordinated medical resources to protect the health of the people and give priority to the prevention of severe COVID-19 cases after the country's epidemic response entered a new stage on January 8.
Jiangsu Provincial Health Commission has called for the integrated use of online service, phone, video call or home visit to meet the needs of the elderly who live alone. People of the vulnerable groups should be contacted at least twice a week for a timely understanding of their underlying medical conditions and health.
In Chongchuan District of Nantong City, Zheng Yuming, 84, suffers from heart disease and lives by herself as her children work in other cities. Local social workers have sent her a care package with a thermometer, disinfection tablets and other supplies.
In Moling of Nanjing's Jiangning District, loudspeakers constantly announced information to remind local residents to take care of their health. Experts were also organized to raise public awareness of infections through livestream talks and short videos.
Volunteers from Jiangsu University's Medical School promote awareness of COVID-19 among elderly people, January 6, 2023. (CFP Photo)
Up till now, Jiangsu has completed a health survey of 13.87 million people over 65 years old and built a health information management system for the vulnerable groups. The province also distributed 3.81 million leaflets and care packages, and increased the number of fever clinics to 2,346, with a maximum daily capacity of 1.2 million patients.
The health commission also required localities to expand services of monitoring blood oxygen level and oxygen support. Pulse oximeter, a small device to easily check the oxygen level, should be provided to elderly people who live alone, have disabilities or face financial difficulties.
In Qingjiangpu District of Huaian City, primary-level health institutions have paired up with higher-level hospitals in order to effectively identify and treat severe COVID-19 cases.
Nanjing has coordinated medical resources and improved patient referrals across its districts.
Wuxi has also built a three-tier medical service system at the city, county and community levels with a clear guidance for patient treatment.
In addition, the province has continued to promote COVID-19 vaccination for the elderly, which reduces the chance of more serious infection. As of January 4, Jiangsu had administrated 214 million vaccinations while 98% of the province's population got at least first dose and 97% completed the full vaccination. The provincial CDC reminded that vaccination rate for the elderly needs to be further raised, especially for people over 80 years old.
