China promotes TCM among elderly, children

China's top health commission has decided to extend the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the nation's basic health care system and provide massage and acupuncture guidance to the elderly and children.

A TCM health management service will be offered to the elderly annually, as well as to parents with babies under the age of three, according to a statement from the National Health and Family Planning Commission on Monday.

A TCM health management service norm issued by the top health commission and the State Administration of TCM on July 31 showed that the annual service provided to the elderly should cover diet and daily schedule adjustment, sports and acupuncture points guidance, said the statement.

Parents with children under three should be taught various TCM massage methods so as to apply them to their babies, it said.

The service will be provided by village or township clinics and urban community health service centers.

Each Chinese is entitled to an average of 30 yuan (4.86 U.S. dollars) in basic health care subsidies in 2013, up from 25 yuan last year, it said, adding the increase covers additional services such as TCM.