Fund launched to support women's and children's health services

The nation’s first fund focusing on investment for women's and children's health services was establishment in Shanghai today.

Dr Duan Tao, the former president of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, was announced a partner of the Fuyou Fund.

Following China allowing all couples to have a second child and people born in the 1990s beginning to have their families, the demand for high-end health services in the gynecology, obstetrics and pediatric areas will grow quickly. Crowded state-owned hospitals can’t meet people’s rising demands.

Recent health reforms encourage the establishment of private health facilities and allow doctors to work in more than one facility, becoming a solution for such high demand.

Dr Duan Tao, the former president of one of the city’s leading maternity hospitals, started his own business by setting up a hospital management company focusing on health services for women and children. The new fund will give support to Dr Duan’s business.

Many leading doctors in the city have started their own businesses establishing doctor’s groups or opening health-related companies.

Dr Feng Xiaoyuan from Huashan Hospital set up a doctor’s group with top radiologists, Dr Bai Chunxue from Zhongshan Hospital set up a doctor’s group with leading respiratory specialists, and Dr Ge Junbo from Zhongshan Hospital teamed up with the nation’s leading cardiologists to also set up a doctor’s group recently.

The fund, worth 1 billion yuan (US$151 million), will mainly give support to startups and relevant technological development.