Beijing (CNS) -- Demand is booming in the Chinese elder care market. The mainland alone needs at least 3 trillion yuan to cope, according to Yan Qingchun, deputy director at the China National Committee on Aging, who spoke during a conference on August 16.
Nursing services run by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have been rapidly increasing, and in some regions the number of civil firms has already surpassed those of government agencies, said Yan.
By September 2008, 4,141 nursing homes had registered with civil affairs or commercial offices, holding 411,723 beds. 57.8% of their resources were occupied by 237,876 elders, according to Yan.
In 1999, when China became an ageing society, the country was characterized by a large population base, a rapid rate of expansion, a large percentage of the very elderly and an evident tendency towards inconsiderate elder care.
Since then the government has encouraged the construction of the nursing service system by providing policy supports in land use, taxation, and water and power consumption.
However, China's total nursing resources only account for 1.59% of the entire elder population, which is lower than the 5%-7% rate in developed countries, and even the 2%-3% rate in some developing countries, according to Yan.
The country's elder care requires more efforts in investment stimulation, professionalization and better supervisory practices, he added.
