A wave of covid-19 reveals flaws in China’s health system
It is better than it used to be, but still needs reform
Within the next month, China’s medical institutions will face their “darkest hour”. This warning by Zhang Wenhong, a prominent infectious-disease expert, has been circulated by state media. It reflects a view that not long ago would have been treated as heresy in “zero-covid” China. But with the virus now sweeping the country, including its hospitals, talk of crushing it has ceased. People are queuing for hours at fever clinics. Medical staff are falling sick in droves. In the coming weeks deaths will rise rapidly as the disease takes its toll on an undervaccinated population.
This article appeared in the China section of the print edition under the headline “A covid stress test ”
From the December 24th 2022 edition
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