Shanghai to boost TCM services

Shanghai has vowed to improve traditional Chinese medicine services at the grassroots level.

The work is listed as one of the most important projects to develop TCM in 2013, Shanghai Municipal Health Bureau said.

Many health centers already provide TCM, but there is still room to improve, the authority said.

District and county hospitals will be equipped with TCM facilities, with training offered to doctors, according to the plan. Some TCM treatments are also expected to be included on the health insurance list.

Authorities said supervision will be strengthened and there will be a crackdown on illegal activities in the name of TCM, including the use of substandard or fake materials during production.