The Beijing Municipal Health Commission recently rolled out a series of measures to give the elderly easier access to medical services.

As well as improving the existing appointment system via online and other digital channels, medical institutions in the Chinese capital are now providing reserved slots exclusive for senior residents. This will also make it easier for friends and family members to make medical appointments for seniors through online channels.

In addition, medical institutions across the city have set up a "green channel" for the elderly to make on-the-spot appointments and seek medical treatment.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, people entering medical facilities must have their temperatures checked, show their health codes, and undergo a brief epidemiological survey. 

Staff and volunteers in medical institutions will ensure that less tech-savvy elderly residents - who may not own or know how to use a smartphone - do not miss their appointments due to fiddly online booking procedures, said Lu Shan, an official from the Beijing Municipal Health Commission.

Over 2.1 million senior residents aged 65 and over have signed up for family doctor services in Beijing, giving them fairer access to elementary public health services.

Those senior residents with chronic disease diagnoses can now enjoy on-demand drug delivery services from community-based medical institutions after consulting with their doctors online.

Since 2020, community healthcare workers have provided approximately 845,000 such drug deliveries to the elderly.