The other day, the thirty-sixth New Views and New Theories Academic Salon of China Association for Science and Technology was held in Beijing. More than 30 TCM experts from all over the country discussed several key issues regarding the development of TCM. The issue of too low charges in TCM hospitals has aroused heated discussion among the experts present.
After Chinese experts have talked a lot about housing prices, share values, water-electricity-oil-gas supplies, and scenic spot tickets, the money in the hands of ordinary people is less and less valuable. Now they have proposed the theory that "too low charges are hindering the development of TCM", which once again aims at the wallets of common people and causes extensive disputes.
Experts said that compared with western medicine, TCM, which features simplicity, convenience, effectiveness and low cost, used to enjoy a good reputation around the world but now it has no "prospect" in terms of money making. Employees of western medicine hospitals can earn an average annual gross income of RMB200,000 yuan while those in TCM hospitals can only make RMB140,000 yuan. This gap makes it difficult for TCM hospitals to survive. Indeed, due to income problems, TCM cannot even ensure its own survival, let alone further development. High-quality talents will also flow out increasingly.