China’s National Health and Family Planning Commission ruled on Sunday that hospitals releasing medical advice and diagnoses online should stop providing such services.
According to Song Shuli, spokeswoman for the commission, there is a probability that unqualified medical personnel might provide online diagnoses, unlike when these pieces of advice were given face-to-face.
In today's Internet age, many Chinese patients are continually seeking for medical advice online. In fact, a number of private hospitals have initiated Web-based services that provide online diagnosis.
However, the country's health regulator clarified that the ban covers only those services offered to individual Chinese patients. The ruling does not affect consultations between medical experts and institutions, Song reiterated.
Earlier in January, the commission launched a pilot scheme that allows some hospitals to give online medical advice to patients living in the country's selected five less-developed regions, including Yunnan and Ningxia.
Yunnan is a far southwestern province in China situated in a mountainous area. Meanwhile, Ningxia is an autonomous region located in the northwest portion of the country.
These hospitals are the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing's People's Liberation Army General Hospital, and China-Japan Friendship Hospital.
Patients are required to register first before receiving access to such services.
The commission spokeswoman stated that the regulatory body would heighten its efforts to improve policies ensuring the reliability of medical services offered online.
The National Health and Family Planning Commission is a State Council executive agency heading the country's health awareness and education campaign. The body also helps ensure health services and health quality monitoring services.