By December 2023, China’s internet medical services user base reached 414 million people, an increase of 51.39 million from December 2022, accounting for 37.9% of China internet users, according to data from CNNIC.
In 2023, China’s internet medical sector enjoyed a wave of favorable policies, significant revenue growth, and accelerated application of digital technologies, showcasing an overall positive development trend.
Strong policy guidance played a crucial role in March, with the issuance of “Opinions on Further Improving the Healthcare Service System” by the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council.
These policies stressed leveraging information technology to develop “Internet + Healthcare” initiatives, construct smart platforms for the medical field, and fast-track the application of the internet, blockchain, and IoT in healthcare, thereby enhancing the provision of high-quality medical services.
Revenue growth for internet medical enterprises was notably significant. The service coverage of these companies expanded continuously, driving substantial revenue increases.
In the first half of the year, JD Health extended its reach to over 400 cities nationwide, covering more than 100,000 stores, which propelled a 34.0% year-on-year revenue increase.
From March to September, Alibaba Health’s income and profit grew by 12.7% and 172.2%, respectively, with the number of merchants on its Tmall Health platform exceeding 32,000, an increase of more than 4,000 compared to the previous year.
The deployment of digital technologies also saw rapid progress. The deep integration of digital technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing with the medical industry led to the preliminary formation of AI medical models and smart medical information platforms.
In July, SenseTime launched the “SenseCare Smart Hospital” comprehensive solution, focusing on smart diagnosis and treatment, medical research, and other scenarios. This solution provides hospitals with one-stop services to improve treatment outcomes, optimize patient experiences, and support the smart transformation of hospitals.