Village doctors, within the entire country's medical system, reside at the lowest tier. Many of them might have inherited their practice through family traditions or perhaps only possess a vocational high school diploma; the more proficient ones, at most, might hold a junior college diploma. They cannot resolve complex diseases, nor do they command methods that yield immediate results. They might not even have a stable income. Beyond their daily medical practice and selling medicine, they also have to perform farm work to cover their daily expenses.
Yet, it is precisely this group of people who are active in every corner of the land. Their presence can be seen in almost every administrative village. Their existence helped solve the problem of healthcare accessibility for ordinary people during China's difficult times. For basic and common diseases, ordinary people don't need to go to Big Hospitals; they can be treated right at their doorsteps.
As Society develops and more specialized, large-scale, and expensive medical equipment appears in Big Hospitals, ordinary people once again find themselves unable to access these facilities. Difficulties such as using mobile phones for appointments, navigating machine registration, or finding the correct Departments are just the beginning. Even if they master all these processes, they might have already paid several hundred or even a thousand yuan in check-up fees before even seeing a doctor. These fees are often not reimbursable, which is a heavy burden for farmers to bear. After all, 99.999% of villages in our country are not Huaxi Village. To put it bluntly, rapid societal progress has had little to do with them. They are merely a group of people who have just managed to secure food and clothing, barely surviving.
Therefore, village doctors have not been rendered obsolete by the changing times. Moreover, in recent years, the country has provided substantial support for the village doctor system. This includes organizing further studies for village doctors to enhance their professional skills and incorporating them all into the national medical system, where they receive a modest but fixed monthly subsidy. For instance, in Zhonghu Town, where Du Heng is based, its 11 administrative villages and 57 natural villages have 13 village doctors, all incorporated into the Health Clinic system. Due to Zhonghu Town's relatively low income, these doctors receive a monthly subsidy of only 600 yuan. However, this 600 yuan can cover the daily expenses of a rural family, allowing for a relatively comfortable life. But the most crucial aspect isn't the money; it's the sense of identity, the joy and pride that comes from being recognized by the country.
「...」
As expected, Wu Buwei could not escape. He was still ruthlessly drafted by Du Heng and even had to contribute his car. Fortunately, the fuel cost was reimbursed, and there was an allowance for travel, so Wu Buwei found it acceptable.
At this time, Wu Buwei glanced at Du Heng, who was resting beside him with his eyes closed, then focused on driving. Their destination today was the most distant Mubangou.
Du Heng, seemingly resting with his eyes closed, wasn't actually asleep. He was looking at the light blue screen in front of him.
The 4/1000 data no longer stirs any emotion in my heart. That increase of one point could only have come from Gong Daoyang. What truly interests me, what fills me with fighting spirit, is the 50,000 yuan figure below. That is the wellspring of my motivation.
Looking at this statistical data again, Du Heng felt this method of tracking was also beneficial for him.
After each Treatment, the system will start compiling data. If I can check it promptly after every Treatment, I can ascertain whether my approach was effective and correct. This way, ineffective or even erroneous Treatments can be largely avoided. It's a safeguard for both myself and the Patients.
Although the road they were on was asphalt, it was old and poorly maintained, making for a rough journey. A large pothole on the left and a bump on the right forced Wu Buwei to drive very cautiously, keeping his speed down.
"Senior Brother, did you argue with Li Nating after work yesterday?"
The jolting was making Du Heng uncomfortable. He opened his eyes and looked ahead. "No, where did you hear that we argued?"
Wu Buwei grinned. "When I was leaving work, I saw you two talking at the door. Li Nating seemed a little unhappy and then left angrily. Senior Brother, are you two dating? Let me tell you, girls need to be coaxed. Just give in a little, say a few sweet things, and usually, everything will be fine."
Du Heng smiled. He and Wu Buwei could talk about almost anything, which made for a relaxed atmosphere. "Don't spread nonsense. I'm not dating her. It would be bad for her reputation if rumors got out."
"Not dating? Then why did she seem like she was having a bit of a bad temper yesterday? Just like my girlfriend when she's upset."
"What's the difference with young girls?" Du Heng wasn't too clear on the nuances of girls' tempers. "I said I'd treat her to a meal, but when I mentioned it yesterday, for some reason, she suddenly said she wouldn't go." Du Heng chuckled as he spoke. "It's fine if she doesn't go. Saves me some money."
"Senior Brother, I know you treated her to milk tea, but when did you promise to buy her a meal?"
Du Heng recalled Li Nating's actions that day and felt a little uneasy. He glanced at Wu Buwei and said, "Just focus on your driving. You ask too many questions. Let me ask you, how's your study of the Treatise on Febrile Diseases going?"
"Uh..." Wu Buwei was a bit speechless; his Senior Brother was being a bit unfair.
Du Heng had only asked casually. Seeing Wu Buwei fall silent, he changed the subject. "The list I gave you yesterday, have you contacted everyone?"
"Yes, I've contacted them all and gotten the details. Mubangou has 4 natural villages under its jurisdiction, all very close to each other. There are 121 households, with 603 registered residents, and 275 people who live there year-round. Among them, 135 are elderly people over sixty, 101 are adults aged twenty to sixty, and there are only 39 children."
Such detailed data, but this population ratio... so many elderly people. Du Heng thought.
"Nowadays, farm work isn't profitable, and money is needed for everything. We're close to the city here, so all the young people have gone to the city to work. If their children need to go to school, it's normal for them to take the children along."
"You seem to know a lot."
"Heh, that's all from the calls yesterday; the village doctors told me. The situation in every village is pretty much the same: lots of elderly people, lots of children, and hardly any young people."
Du Heng fell silent. He was a native of this place; how could he not know the situation? He just hadn't specifically looked at the statistics and didn't know the exact figures. Among those 101 adults, most are probably in their forties or fifties. There are likely very few young people.
"You're actually right about that. Zuo Liangliang, Mubangou's village doctor, said there's only one young man in Mubangou now; everyone else has left. And this young man only stayed because he has a mental illness."
Hearing this news, Du Heng didn't know what to say and could only let out a long, soft sigh.
Looking at the piles of white snow accumulated on the side of the road, Du Heng was filled with anticipation for the two hundred people in Mubangou.