A veteran pediatrician of traditional Chinese medicine in Central China's Hunan province has witnessed remarkable progress in the sector over the past years, with grassroots clinics, digital services, and insurance reforms bringing healthcare closer to patients.

Zhang Di, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress and director of the Children's Medical Center at the First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine in Changsha, shared his observations on Saturday during the ongoing NPC session in Beijing.

"Decades ago, our clinic was crowded with families traveling from remote villages, carrying heavy bags and waiting hours just to see a specialist," Zhang, who has more than three decades of clinical experience, recalled.

Today, the situation has fundamentally changed. A well-established network of TCM clinics now covers both urban and rural areas across Hunan, effectively bridging the "last mile" of healthcare access.

"Mobile appointments, online payments, herbal medicine delivery, and mutual recognition of test results have become routine," Zhang said.

Today, pediatric TCM therapies, such as infant massage and acupressure patches, are accessible at local clinics across the province, he said. Major hospitals regularly send medical teams to grassroots institutions through alliances and specialist workshops.

Zhang also expressed pride in the public's growing health awareness.

"TCM emphasizes preventive care — a concept now globally recognized," he said.

Educational campaigns in schools and communities have also promoted awareness of enhancing immunity among people, he added.

Zhang highlighted that favorable insurance policies, which now cover more commonly used TCM formulas and decoction pieces than before, have further eased burdens for patients. The direct settlement of cross-regional medical bills has also eliminated the need for multiple trips.

"As a practitioner in Hunan, a province rich in TCM heritage, I feel especially fortunate," Zhang said.

"I will continue working together with my fellow medical workers to ensure that quality healthcare reaches more households."