Hangzhou (CNS) -- The Saint Love Rehabilitation Hospital, funded by a Christian nursing home, the first of its kind, was put into operation in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, on October 18.
The services will be covered by social health insurance, part of China's state-run social security services.
Hangzhou's aging population has reached about 17% of the city's total and is expected to grow further, said Sun Zhonghuan, chairman of the local Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The issue of elderly care requires concerted efforts of government and all social sectors, added Sun.
Hangzhou is leading the nation's other cities in church participation in social services, according to Elder Fu Xianwei, chair of the National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Churches in China.
"This hospital, in particular, is able to provide coverage by social health insurance. It shows that the government is open-minded," added Elder Fu.
Pastor Henry Holley, vice president of the Graham Evangelistic Association, said the hospital is a gift to God.
