Beijing, January 12 (China News Service) -- China's National Health Commission released on January 12 the "Regulations on the Management of the Whole-Process Services for Deceased Patients in Medical and Health Institutions," jointly formulated by six departments. The regulations explicitly prohibit medical and health institutions from providing funeral services, strictly forbid the outsourcing of morgues, and severely punish the illegal sale of death certificates.
The "Regulations" provide policy support for standardizing the service management of deceased patients in medical and health institutions, upholding the dignity of the deceased, optimizing the medical environment, and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the public. The "Regulations" consist of twelve articles, making specific provisions in four main areas: the issuance and management of death certificates, temporary storage and transportation of remains, standardization of services provided by medical and health institutions, and the implementation of departmental responsibilities.
Regarding the issuance and management of death certificates, the regulations require medical and health institutions to establish a system for managing, issuing, recycling invalid death certificates, and registering and tracing information on the use of seals for issuance, implementing a system of separation of certificate and seal and joint management by two personnel. Health administrative departments at all levels (including those related to traditional Chinese medicine and disease control) should promote information sharing and collaborative work with public security and civil affairs departments to strictly prevent and punish the illegal issuance and resale of death certificates. The regulations also actively promote the electronic management of death certificates.
Regarding the regulation of services provided by medical and health institutions, the "Regulations" stipulate that medical and health institutions should focus on their primary responsibilities and are prohibited from providing funeral services. It is strictly forbidden to display, exhibit, or sell funeral service supplies in any location within medical and health institutions, and it is also forbidden to burn incense, candles, or sacrificial items. It is strictly forbidden to outsource or otherwise allow third parties to operate or manage temporary body storage areas (or morgues), and it is strictly forbidden to introduce related organizations or individuals to provide funeral services within medical and health institutions through renting or lending venues, cooperation with third parties, or purchasing services.
The regulations require medical and health institutions to establish a system for protecting the personal information of deceased patients and their families, and to strengthen education and training for medical and health professionals, administrative personnel, and support staff (including staff of third-party institutions) who come into contact with information on deceased patients, so as to improve their awareness of compliance with laws and regulations and the protection of patient information.
According to the National Health Commission, a nationwide campaign to rectify corruption and irregularities in the funeral industry was launched in October 2024. The National Health Commission, in conjunction with the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, organized a special campaign within the health system to address corruption and irregularities in the funeral industry. To further consolidate the achievements of this campaign, establish institutionalized and long-term policies and measures, and standardize the entire process of services for deceased patients in medical and health institutions, the National Health Commission, together with relevant departments, jointly formulated these "Regulations." (End)
