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Corruption in China
ChinaPolitics

China corruption watchdog nabs 160 hospital bosses in healthcare blitz

  • ‘More heads to roll’ as investigations continue into sector given over US$15.2 billion in public funds during Covid-19
  • Health spending is among the ‘three burdens’ on China’s ageing population and one of the largest sources of public grievance

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More than 160 hospital bosses and secretaries across China have been netted in an anti-corruption drive, with more heads expected to roll. Photo: Shutterstock
William Zheng
Chinese anti-corruption investigators have netted more than 160 hospital bosses this year, as Beijing targets the lucrative medical sector, which received public funding worth billions of US dollars under Covid-19.

Sources and observers expect more heads to roll in the sector, which has been one of the largest sources of public grievances over high costs and rampant corruption.

State media reports said more than 150 hospital bosses and secretaries have been identified in the targeted campaign that began earlier this year, but tallies by the South China Morning Post suggest the total may have reached 168 this week.

It was also reported last month that at least two senior pharmaceutical company executives – Winning Health Technology Group chairman Zhou Wei and Fan Zhihe, chairman of Shanghai Serum Bio-Technology – were under investigation for alleged corruption.

The sector-specific anti-corruption campaign kicked off just months after China emerged from its three-year zero-Covid strategy, but stepped up a gear as a July 30 deadline neared for people to hand themselves over in exchange for leniency.

Data released in March by the National Health Commission showed health facilities across the country have received more than 110 billion yuan (US$15.2 billion) since 2020.

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