This Action Plan has been formulated to thoroughly implement the *Implementation Plan for Major Projects to Promote the Revitalization and Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Jiangsu Province* and the *Implementation Opinions on Promoting the Inheritance and Innovative Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine* issued by the Suzhou Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government; to fully leverage the distinctive strengths of our city’s “Wumen School” of Traditional Chinese Medicine; and to advance the revitalization and development of Traditional Chinese Medicine from a higher starting point, at a higher level, and toward higher goals.

I. Guiding Principles

Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important expositions on TCM work, adhere to the Party’s health and healthcare work guidelines for the new era, and focus on the public’s demand for high-quality health and healthcare services. Taking the “inheriting the essence and innovating through integration” of the Wumen Medical School as the main thread, we will continuously strengthen the TCM service system, optimize resource allocation, improve investment mechanisms, increase service supply, and enhance service quality. We will promote the high-quality and leapfrog development of TCM to make greater contributions to advancing the construction of a Healthy Suzhou and enhancing the health and well-being of the people.

II. Overall Objectives

We aim to transform Suzhou into a leading center for the development of TCM in the province and even nationwide within three years. The city will have basically established a TCM service system characterized by a sound network, comprehensive functions, distinct features, efficient governance, and coverage of the entire life cycle of citizens. Leveraging the favorable conditions provided by the China Joint Graduate School of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the National Regional Medical Center’s establishment in Suzhou, we will accelerate efforts to address shortcomings in diagnostic and treatment capabilities, scientific research capacity, high-level research talent, TCM R&D innovation, and industrial development. This will comprehensively drive TCM hospitals to enhance their diagnostic and treatment capabilities at the provincial and municipal levels,and foster a group of renowned TCM hospitals, departments, physicians, medicines, and enterprises that wield significant influence at both the national and provincial levels.

III. Main Tasks

(1) Strengthen System Development and Build a Hub for TCM Innovation Services.

1. Optimize the distribution of TCM medical resources. Fulfill the government’s responsibility for establishing medical institutions; each county-level city (district) shall establish at least one independent public TCM hospital. Encourage general hospitals in county-level cities (districts) to transition into TCM hospitals or integrated traditional and Western medicine hospitals. Support Gusu District and Suzhou Industrial Park in establishing TCM hospitals or integrated traditional and Western medicine hospitals to achieve full coverage of public TCM hospitals across the entire city. All community health service centers and township health centers shall establish TCM clinics and be staffed with TCM physicians.Accelerate the construction and upgrading of county-level TCM hospitals; guide and promote the relocation and reconstruction of the Zhangjiagang TCM Hospital and the Suzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine. Guide the Taicang TCM Hospital and the Suzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine in their efforts to become Grade III Class A TCM hospitals (or integrated hospitals); support the Wujiang District TCM Hospital in becoming a Grade III TCM hospital and the High-Tech Zone TCM Hospital in becoming a Grade II TCM hospital; and promote the development of TCM service capabilities at the Wuzhong District TCM Hospital.By 2026, strive to add 1–2 new Grade A Level 3 TCM hospitals and 1 new Grade 3 TCM hospital. (Responsible Departments: People’s Governments [Administrative Committees] of all county-level cities [districts], Municipal Health Commission)

2. Promote the development of high-level TCM hospitals.Focusing on the needs of “national-level” platforms such as the China Joint Graduate School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Medical Centers, National Regional Medical Centers, National Key Disciplines (Specialties), and National Key Laboratories, we will establish a national-level TCM medical resource platform. We will actively plan for national-level research platforms, key research projects, and national talent programs in the field of TCM. We will promote the establishment of a National Medical Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine (specializing in cardiovascular diseases) and the construction of the Suzhou Hospital of the Xiyuan Hospital of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. We will leverage the pioneering role of the three provincial-level high-quality development pilot hospitals—Suzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Kunshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine — to play a pioneering role. Adhering to the development strategy of “leading departments through renowned physicians and building renowned hospitals through leading departments,” we will strive to build high-level hospitals.Strengthen the monitoring and supervision of high-quality development indicators for public hospitals and core performance evaluation indicators for public TCM hospitals; enhance the substantive development of public TCM hospitals; improve operational efficiency; elevate the level of medical services; boost the capacity to treat complex and critical illnesses; and coordinate the high-quality development of public TCM hospitals at all levels and of all types within the city, striving to achieve higher rankings in the national performance evaluation of public TCM hospitals. (Responsible Departments: People’s Governments (Administrative Committees) of all county-level cities (districts), Municipal Health Commission, Municipal Finance Bureau, Municipal Science and Technology Bureau)

3. Improve the integrated TCM-Western medicine diagnostic and treatment system.Promote the establishment of TCM clinical departments in general hospitals, specialized hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, geriatric hospitals, and maternal and child health care institutions; strengthen the development of TCM departments in all general (specialized) hospitals at Level II and above across the city; intensify performance evaluations for integrated TCM and Western medicine work; and launch initiatives to create “flagship” departments and “flagship” hospitals for integrated TCM and Western medicine. By 2026, strive to cultivate 1–2 “flagship” hospitals for integrated TCM and Western medicine,and 3–5 “flagship” departments for integrated traditional and Western medicine. (Responsible Departments: Municipal Health Commission, Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Municipal Finance Bureau)

4. Strengthen the comprehensive TCM service capacity at the grassroots level. Consolidate the “TCM Clinic” upgrading project at township health centers and community health service centers, and advance the construction of “TCM Corners” at all community health service stations (village clinics).Achieve full coverage of graded TCM clinics (TCM corners) in community health service centers and township health centers. By 2026, the proportion of Grade 3 TCM clinics in community health service centers and township health centers across the city will reach 50%, Grade 4 TCM clinics 30%, and Grade 5 TCM clinics 20%. Aligned with national standards, 15% of TCM clinics in community health service centers and township health centers will complete the development of service content.Deepen the development of closely integrated TCM medical alliances and medical consortiums, expand TCM family doctor contract services at the grassroots level, strengthen the promotion of appropriate TCM technologies, and enhance training. Building on the family doctor system, leverage the role of TCM in preventing disease before it occurs. Encourage social entities to establish TCM service facilities and support the brand-building and chain development of privately-run TCM medical institutions. (Responsible Departments: People’s Governments (Management Committees) of all county-level cities (districts), Municipal Health Commission)

5. Balance the allocation of TCM nursing resources. Establish a multi-tiered, specialized, socialized, and comprehensive TCM nursing talent development model; select leading and elite TCM nursing professionals to leverage their academic and social influence in driving the development of the discipline; train specialized nurses in integrated Chinese and Western medicine to meet the needs of professional TCM nursing development;Strengthen the training of a sufficient number of specialized TCM nursing technicians, community-based TCM nursing personnel, and TCM health and elderly care nursing professionals; increase the supply of TCM nursing services in areas such as geriatric care, community care, and home care; and improve the accessibility of TCM nursing services. Over the next three years, we will strive to continuously deepen the “patient-centered” philosophy, ensuring that nursing services covering the entire population and the full life cycle become higher quality, more efficient, and more convenient, and that nursing work becomes more closely aligned with patients, clinical practice, and society.(Responsible Departments: Municipal Health Commission, Municipal Finance Bureau)

(2) Strengthen Talent Recruitment and Training, and Implement the TCM Talent Cultivation Summit Plan.

6. Promote the recruitment and training of elite TCM professionals. Fully leverage the Gusu Health Talent Program and the “Campus Suzhou Day” Health Talent Recruitment Hotline to attract high-level TCM professionals, and intensify efforts to recruit National Masters of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nationally Renowned TCM Practitioners, and Qihuang Scholars. Within three years, strive to establish 3–5 new provincial-level or higher inheritance studios,10 Jiangsu Provincial Famous Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners, and a new cohort of Suzhou Municipal Famous Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Wumen Medical School inheritance mentors. Issue the “Several Measures on Strengthening Traditional Chinese Medicine Talent Work” to promote a talent evaluation system that adheres to the laws of TCM development and adapts to academic advancements in the field, thereby cultivating a group of Suzhou TCM leaders, representative successors of the Wumen Medical School, and high-level innovative teams. Make effective use of the “rotation pool” for institutional positions for high-level talent.(Responsible Departments: Municipal Party Committee Organization Department, Municipal Party Committee Talent Office, Municipal Finance Bureau, Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, Municipal Health Commission)

7. Strengthen the development of TCM talent pipelines. Fully leverage teaching resources from the China Joint Graduate School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Wumen Medical School, among others, to implement TCM talent cultivation programs. Continuously carry out initiatives for TCM leading talents, outstanding young and middle-aged TCM clinical talents, provincial-level Western-trained TCM practitioners, and grassroots TCM backbone talents, thereby establishing a more rational structure for TCM talent pipelines and continuously expanding the TCM service workforce while improving both quantity and quality.By 2026, we aim to cultivate 150 outstanding young and middle-aged TCM professionals, 300 professionals transitioning from Western medicine to TCM, 300 grassroots TCM backbone professionals, and 100 successors to renowned senior TCM practitioners at the grassroots level. (Responsible Department: Municipal Health Commission)

(3) Strengthen the development of specialized (medical) disciplines and launch the “Peak Achievement Plan for Renowned TCM Disciplines.”

8. Build clusters of competitive and distinctive specialties. Conduct a comprehensive review of the current development status of all hospital specialties. Aligning with hospital strategic positioning and local public healthcare needs, and adhering to the principles of “tiered development, targeted support, and dynamic management,” cultivate leading, competitive, backbone, and promising disciplines, while clarifying the development directions and pathways for each clinical specialty across hospitals.Launch the “Clinical Specialty Peak-Building and Foundation-Laying” Special Action Plan. Leading and advantageous disciplines must strengthen cooperation with universities, research institutes, and international healthcare sectors. Leveraging platforms such as the China Joint Graduate School of Traditional Chinese Medicine and national regional medical centers for TCM, explore the development of interdisciplinary innovation teams to elevate the capabilities of disciplines such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, orthopedics and traumatology, gastroenterology, and gynecology to the forefront of the nation. Core and promising disciplines should introduce leading specialist teams to enhance and upgrade their diagnostic and treatment capabilities.We will excel in developing TCM specialty clinics and disease-specific treatments in pediatrics, dermatology, proctology, acupuncture, tuina, as well as nephrology, oncology, peripheral vascular diseases, and TCM rehabilitation. We will strengthen the selection and cultivation of key TCM specialties. By 2026, we aim to establish 8–10 national-level leading specialties and strengthen 40 provincial-level key specialties,and establish more than 40 new municipal-level key specialties, thereby continuously expanding the academic influence of the hospital’s TCM specialties throughout the province and even nationwide. (Responsible Departments: Municipal Health Commission, Municipal Finance Bureau, Municipal Science and Technology Bureau)

(4) Strengthen the exploration and application of traditional knowledge to promote the inheritance and open development of the Wumen Medical School.

9. Advance research and preservation efforts regarding the Wumen School of Medicine. Comprehensively strengthen the development of the Wumen Branch of the Jiangsu School of Medicine Research Institute and the Wumen School of Medicine Research Institute (comprising one main institute and five affiliated institutes: the Loudong Medicine Institute, the Yushan Medicine Institute, the Shicai School Institute,Loujiang Medicine, and Xu Lingtai Medicine Research Institute). Focusing on the distinctive strengths of the Wumen School in theory, specialized diseases, specialized medicines, and culture, we will gradually establish a new theoretical and cultural system of traditional Chinese medicine for the Wumen School characterized by “theoretical foundations, talent, specialized diseases, specialized medicines, and research achievements.”Promote the establishment of a research center for the theory of warm diseases centered in Suzhou; advance the development of specialized zones for Wumen-style intangible cultural heritage (ICH) diagnosis and treatment across various regions; undertake emergency preservation and transmission of distinctive TCM therapies such as “Jin’s Pediatrics, Ma’s Laryngology, Ge’s Traumatology, Zheng’s Pediatrics, and You’s Acupuncture”; and establish the Wumen Medical School ICH Inheritance Alliance.By 2026, develop 8 to 10 diagnostic and treatment protocols for priority disease categories that are distinctively TCM-based and demonstrate strong clinical efficacy. (Responsible Departments: Municipal Health Commission, Municipal Party Committee Organization Department, Municipal Intangible Cultural Heritage Office)

10. Build a modern innovation system for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulations. Establish an efficient “medical care, research, and production” chain through tripartite cooperation among the government, hospitals, and enterprises; plan to establish a modern smart formulation center integrating production, R&D, and commercialization; and advance the construction of a shared TCM formulation platform. Support close collaboration between medical institutions, universities, research institutes, and pharmaceutical enterprises to explore the establishment of a TCM formula and drug transformation and innovation center capable of achieving high-quality and efficient TCM research outcomes.By 2026, select a batch of TCM standard prescriptions with the distinctive characteristics of the Wumen School of Medicine, promote the secondary development of TCM formulations, and strive to convert 1–2 high-quality formulation varieties into new TCM drugs, thereby addressing the shortcomings of the TCM industry within our city’s biomedical industry hub. (Responsible Departments: Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Municipal Market Regulation Bureau, Municipal Health Commission, Municipal Education Bureau, Suzhou Branch of the Provincial Drug Administration)

11. Create smart service application scenarios for traditional Chinese medicine. In line with the requirements of “Internet Plus Healthcare,” we will gradually improve the informatization of TCM management, standardize TCM services, and enhance TCM quality standardization. We will orderly advance the digital development of TCM, explore and develop application scenarios for digital smart management, services, and supervision of TCM, steadily promote the digital infrastructure of TCM, and explore the establishment of a unified digital coding standard for TCM.Implement the national comprehensive statistical system for TCM. Relying on existing resources, improve the construction of the municipal-level comprehensive TCM statistical platform; promote the standardized integration of information platforms from TCM medical institutions and TCM clinics at all levels into the city-wide health information platform; and build digital applications that benefit and serve the public. Deepen the development of the cloud platform for smart shared decoction centers, strengthen the functions of the municipal TCM pharmaceutical quality control center, and enhance the management of internet-based TCM dispensing centers. Integrate TCM decoction and delivery services, as well as pilot projects for the traceability of TCM herbal slices, with information technology.Implement traceability for TCM decoction pieces and distinctive services such as prescription preparation and decoction on behalf of patients, with same-day home delivery, to meet the demand for TCM services among residents in townships. (Responsible Departments: Municipal Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, Municipal Bureau of Data, Municipal Health Commission, Municipal Market Regulation Bureau, Suzhou Branch of the Provincial Drug Administration)

12. Strengthen the utilization and protection of intellectual property in the TCM industry. Increase efforts to cultivate high-value patents in the TCM field, promote the commercialization and application of TCM patent achievements, and advance the use of patent navigation in TCM industry development. Accelerate the granting of high-value TCM patents and facilitate their transfer and commercialization.Strengthen trademark protection in the TCM sector and investigate and punish trademark infringement in accordance with the law. Support the inclusion of TCM brands in the city’s key intellectual property protection list, conduct protection monitoring for TCM enterprises’ trademarks, trade names, and patents, and guide enterprises in asserting their rights. Promote the integration of litigation and mediation, conduct administrative mediation and adjudication for patent infringement disputes in the TCM sector, and provide efficient, low-cost dispute resolution channels.Advance the system for judicial confirmation of administrative mediation agreements in intellectual property disputes to enhance the legal effectiveness of administrative mediation. Protect TCM trade secrets in accordance with the law, effectively curb acts of infringement on TCM trade secrets, and promote the inheritance and innovation of TCM technologies. (Responsible Departments: Municipal Market Regulation Bureau, Municipal Intermediate People’s Court, Municipal Public Security Bureau)

(5) Strengthen the management system and implement the comprehensive reform project for traditional Chinese medicine.

13. Ensure the implementation of policies promoting the comprehensive development of TCM. By strengthening coordinated reforms in medical insurance, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals, we will deeply explore traditional TCM culture and superior TCM treatment protocols. For TCM conditions where TCM has distinct advantages, clear treatment pathways, and proven efficacy, we will advance reforms in medical insurance payment methods that align with the characteristics of TCM. We will support the inclusion of TCM medical service items with proven therapeutic efficacy and cost advantages into the scope of basic medical insurance fund coverage in accordance with regulations. We will promote the implementation of “same disease, same efficacy, same price” for TCM and Western medicine in the treatment of conditions where TCM has a clear advantage,expand the scope of point-based settlement for TCM-specific treatment conditions, and vigorously promote the point-based settlement models for TCM outpatient treatment conditions and TCM primary-care conditions. (Responsible Departments: Municipal Medical Insurance Bureau, Municipal Health Commission)

14. Promote the dispensing and use of TCM preparations in primary-level medical institutions. Study the dispensing and use of TCM preparations from medical institutions in primary-level medical institutions; conduct pilot programs for dispensing and use in batches and by product type in the corresponding departments of relevant primary-level medical institutions; expand the scope of dispensing and use; and promote the decentralization of high-quality TCM resources.Vigorously support the development of the National Regional Medical Center (Suzhou Hospital of the Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences). Explore mechanisms for the multi-regional sharing and joint use of TCM formulations among medical institutions; promote the cross-provincial circulation of distinctive in-house formulations from the National Regional Medical Center; and increase support for including TCM formulations from medical institutions that meet dispensing regulations within the scope of basic medical insurance fund coverage. (Responsible Departments: Municipal Medical Insurance Bureau, Municipal Health Commission, Suzhou Branch of the Provincial Drug Administration)

IV. Support Measures

(1) Strengthen Organizational Leadership.

The Leading Group of the Municipal Joint Conference on Traditional Chinese Medicine Work shall strengthen overall coordination, promptly study and promote the resolution of key issues concerning the revitalization and development of traditional Chinese medicine. All relevant member units shall incorporate the implementation of major projects into their key tasks, clarify objectives and tasks, refine the division of responsibilities, and ensure effective implementation. All county-level cities (districts) and project units shall strengthen their primary responsibility to ensure that the work achieves tangible results.

(2) Strengthen Funding Guarantees.

The people’s governments (administrative committees) of each county-level city (district) and relevant municipal departments and units shall allocate funds for the development of TCM within their health and wellness budgets and increase their support, ensuring that TCM development funds are listed separately in the budget. Efforts shall be made to encourage and guide private capital to participate in the revitalization and development of TCM, while strengthening the management of fund usage in accordance with laws and regulations to ensure that public funds are used for their intended purposes. Internal control mechanisms shall be improved to enhance project management standards.Strengthen pre-, during, and post-implementation supervision of projects, establish performance evaluation mechanisms, and improve the efficiency of fund utilization.

(3) Strengthen Monitoring and Evaluation.

Conduct dynamic monitoring, mid-term evaluations, and final assessments of landmark projects such as National Regional Medical Centers and provincial pilot hospitals for high-quality development. The Municipal Health Commission (Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine) shall take the lead in formulating evaluation and supervision plans, fully leverage the role of third-party evaluations, strengthen full-cycle monitoring, and enhance the objectivity, accuracy, and scientific rigor of evaluations. Any issues identified during the evaluation process must be addressed immediately upon discovery.

(4) Foster a Positive Atmosphere.

Vigorously publicize the Action Plan for the Revitalization and Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), particularly the progress and achievements of major projects. Promote the unique characteristics and advantages of TCM in maintaining health, promptly address public concerns, and enhance society’s and the public’s recognition of and adherence to TCM to foster a favorable social environment where TCM development is widely supported. Timely summarize and distill effective experiences and practices, strengthen coverage of exemplary cases, and leverage their exemplary and leading roles.