太原市中医医院医务人员 recently visited the public integrated kindergarten service center in Yinzhe District to conduct health education activities.
Doctors from the pediatric department of Hongtong County Hospital provided on-site guidance in pediatric massage to parents and kindergarten teachers at a kindergarten institution.
In recent years, Shanxi Province has been actively establishing a普惠托育 service system by increasing supply, improving quality, and reducing costs. This enables more families to have access to reliable childcare services. To achieve high-quality development in普惠托育 services, the province is exploring a new model called "medical and educational integration." This initiative aims to combine medical care with education to enhance the capacity of infant care and health services.
The "medical + kindergarten" integration model represents an innovative approach to普惠托育 services. According to Liu Zhifeng, Deputy Director of the Population and Family Development Department at the Shanxi Provincial Health Commission, 117 integrated kindergarten service centers were constructed in 2023. These centers added over 12,000普惠性 kindergartens and are expected to open by the end of 2024.
In addition to expanding supply, the quality of services has also been improved. A document titled "Several Measures to Promote High-Quality Kindergarten Services" was issued in August 2024 by the Shanxi Provincial Health Commission and other departments. It emphasizes the importance of integrating medical resources into kindergarten services through partnerships between healthcare institutions and kindergarten facilities.
The "medical and educational integration" model has been gaining traction across various regions in Shanxi Province since late 2023. This approach involves close cooperation between medical institutions and kindergartens, with professionals from the healthcare sector providing guidance on infant health monitoring, disease prevention, nutrition, and psychological development.
The unique advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have played a significant role in this initiative. TCM emphasizes "preventing diseases before they occur" and focuses on holistic调理, making it particularly suitable for children with delicate constitutions.
For example, doctors from the pediatrics department at Taiyuan Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine have been working closely with local kindergarten service centers. They provide training in pediatric massage techniques and develop customized health plans for infants based on TCM principles.
Experts believe that this new model will transform kindergartens from basic care facilities into comprehensive institutions that focus on both child development and health. The integration of medical expertise ensures that children receive professional attention in areas such as nutrition, physical growth, and disease prevention.
Efforts to promote scientific parenting have also seen significant progress through partnerships between healthcare institutions and kindergartens. These collaborations aim to create a sustainable mechanism for "medical and educational integration." Parents who participated in these programs have expressed satisfaction with the improved health monitoring and personalized care their children receive.
The success of this initiative is evident in several pilot projects across the province. For instance, a kindergarten center in Changzhi City has established a "medical and educational integration" program with local TCM hospitals. This partnership provides comprehensive health services including regular check-ups, personalized guidance, and disease prevention measures.
According to the latest data from the Shanxi Provincial Health Commission, out of 117 integrated kindergarten service centers, 71 have already signed agreements with medical institutions. The goal is for all 3,000-plus kindergarten facilities in the province to participate in this program by the end of 2024.
This innovative approach not only enhances the quality of infant care but also contributes to the overall development of high-quality普惠托育 services. It reflects Shanxi Province's commitment to creating a better future for young children and their families.
