An expanded medical insurance scheme now covers almost eight million low-income workers in China, according to state media.
The project, which is backed by the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA) and three other firms, aims to provide medical insurance for 10 million workers from registered poor households by the end of 2020, Xinhua reported.
According to CFPA assistant executive director Qin Wei, the foundation will use various technologies, such as blockchain, to ensure transparency and effective coverage of its target population. The insurance scheme currently covers 12 Chinese provinces, including Hubei, Sichuan and Yunnan.
As of October 31, the insurance scheme has expended almost RMB230 million (US$32.7 million) to benefit 7.89 million individuals. The programme was launched in 2017 and provides medical insurance for workers aged 18 to 60 that come from households that are considered poor by the Chinese government.