China

Project HOPE is on the ground in China helping support health workers and hospitals in Wuhan meet their immediate needs and handle the massive influx of patients exhibiting flu-like symptoms as the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) continues to spread.

Read more about our work here.

About China

China has the largest population in the world — home to more than 1.4 billion people, including 15% of all children worldwide.

The country has experienced rapid economic growth over the past decades and steady improvements in maternal and child health care, but its health system is not positioned to support its rapidly growing, and aging, population.

• Most populous country & second-largest economy
• Home to 15% of all children worldwide
• China’s over-60 population will reach 350 million by 2030

The Challenges

Despite its status as the world’s most populous country and second-largest economy, China has a debilitating shortage of trained nursing professionals. It’s estimated there are only about three registered nurses for every 1,000 people.

This shortage is particularly problematic for children and the elderly. China is home to the largest population of children in the world, but suffers from a serious shortage of practicing pediatricians; 90,000 new pediatricians are needed to meet the demand for care. Meanwhile, China’s rapidly-aging population has created a significant need to strengthen the national infrastructure for housing and medical care for the elderly. This need was amplified during the 2020 coronavirus outbreak, which erupted in Wuhan and proved especially dangerous for elderly populations.

High prevalence of noncommunicable diseases

Like other countries with surging economies, the rise of sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets in China has increased risk factors for NCDs such as diabetes and heart disease.

An estimated 270 million people in China have hypertension, and about 110 million people (1 in 10 adults) are living with diabetes, making it home to the world’s largest diabetes epidemic. Beijing and Shanghai, specifically, have some of the highest rates of diabetes in the country. If greater preventative action isn’t taken, the World Health Organization predicts China could have 150 million people with diabetes by 2040. NCDs are already the leading cause of death in the country, contributing to more than 80% of annual deaths.

Congenital heart disease is a significant burden as well, particularly for infants and children under 5. While China has made great progress in reducing mortality rates in the last few decades, CHD is still the most common birth defect and has become a leading cause of death for children under 5. Without detection and treatment, about one-third of children born with CHD in China would die in less than a year.

Bringing HOPE to China

Our History in China

Project HOPE’s work in China began in 1983, with an invitation from the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Zhejiang Medical University to help modernize the country’s health services. As one of the first INGOs officially registered in the country, we have spent over 30 years supporting health professionals in the areas of pediatric medicine, women’s and children’s health, NCDs, nursing education, and disaster relief.

We work closely with the National Health Committee, universities, hospitals, and community health centers to improve health service capacity, quality, and accessibility nationwide, through our regional offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Wuhan.

Want to read more about our history in China?
The China monograph showcases 30 years of HOPE in China.
View the monograph >

In Beijing, combatting NCDs and coordinating disaster relief

Project HOPE Beijing is our central government affairs office in China. Staff implement nationwide NCD programs focusing on clinical trainings and case management for diabetes and hypertension. Our Beijing office is also responsible for coordinating disaster relief efforts when needed, and works to reduce the use of unsafe medicines in China by educating policy makers, journalists, health professionals, patients, and the general public.

Learn more about our work & impact in Beijing >

In Shanghai, improving pediatric care

Project HOPE Shanghai collaborates closely with Shanghai Children’s Medical Center to integrate multidisciplinary care into pediatric medicine at health facilities, ranging from tertiary to primary care settings. Key efforts include developing the skills of pediatric health professionals, upgrading clinical practice, installing and supporting the use of state-of-the-art equipment, integrating disease management into pediatric care, and coordinating with the education system. Additionally, the Project HOPE Shanghai office implements innovative pediatric NCD management practices and works to address the shortage of pediatricians through training and international exchange programs.

Learn more about our work & impact in Shanghai >

In Wuhan, empowering future generations of nurses

Project HOPE’s Wuhan office was established to develop a team of future nursing leaders through the Wuhan University’s HOPE School of Nursing — one of our strongest and longest-running health workforce programs. We continue to enhance the school’s capacity through faculty training, international collaboration and exchange, and establishing state-of-the-art learning labs — an effort that has proven particularly valuable in preparing nurses to combat emergencies like the coronavirus outbreak. The Wuhan office has also implemented HIV/AIDS treatment and care, palliative care, and hospital capacity building programs.

Learn more about our work & impact in Wuhan >