In their new incarnation, the health centers will promote health education and establish a medical records network for nearby residents. The centers will abandon speciality departments, such as neurosurgery, which will be handled by more "advanced" hospitals, said spokesman Song Guofan of the Municipal Health Bureau.

"Under the changes, the health centers are being encouraged to give full play to their strengths, such as cheaper cost and community services," Song said.

The health centers will focus on providing quick and convenient treatment for common ailments, Song noted, adding that patients who need the attention of a specialist can go to major hospitals.

The centers also will end the common practice of waiting for patients to come to them, and instead initiate treatment when necessary, Song said. "Patients will be able to receive medical services at their homes by calling the pagers of medical personnel," said Zhao Xiaomin, president of the Beixinjing Residential Health Center.

Thirty-three of the health centers have started family health-care services, officials said. More than 30,000 families have agreed to be included in the medical data network and to get home calls by doctors, officials said.

The centers' health-education drive will include lectures on maternity, common ailments suffered by the elderly, and basic emergency treatments, Song said.

All health centers are setting up their medical records network, officials said. In Yangpu District, the Wujiaochang Residential Health Center has files on 17,770 people 60 or older. Recently, it completed a survey on nearby residents suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

(Shanghai.gov.cn 07/30/2001)