Watch The Barefoot Doctors of Rural China A Documentary

The Barefoot Doctors of Rural China is a thought-provoking and insightful documentary that explores the life and work of doctors in rural China. The film shines a spotlight on these barefoot doctors, who are a vital component of China's healthcare system and play a crucial role in delivering essential medical care to people in remote and impoverished areas.

The documentary traces the origin of the barefoot doctors system, which emerged during Mao Zedong's era in the late 1960s. Mao's visionary plan was to create a healthcare system that would take care of every citizen, regardless of their social status or economic situation. In a bid to achieve his vision, he tasked the Red Guards with selecting and training young people from villages across the country to become healthcare workers. The barefoot doctors emerged as a result of this initiative.

The documentary examines the daily lives of these barefoot doctors, who travel from one village to another, on foot or on bicycles, to provide medical assistance to the local population. Their duties include conducting physical examinations, diagnosing and treating illnesses, performing minor surgeries, and providing health education to the people.

Through heartwarming and compelling interviews, the viewer gets to know the remarkable stories of various barefoot doctors, and the challenges and rewards that come with their work. We get to see how they handle medical emergencies, coping with difficult medical cases, and the impact their work has on the community.

The documentary also touches upon the cultural differences between rural and urban areas in China. On the one hand, we see urban citizens enjoying access to modern healthcare facilities, while on the other, we see rural communities struggling with inadequate resources and limited access to healthcare. It's a poignant reminder of the healthcare disparities that exist within the country.

The film captures the political and economic changes that took place in China, and how they impacted the barefoot doctors. During the 1980s and 1990s, the government introduced new policies that incentivized the doctors to move to urban areas. This led to a decline in the number of barefoot doctors in rural areas, leaving the communities without access to medical care. The film shows how the government has started revitalizing the barefoot doctor program in recent years, recognizing its significance in the healthcare system.

The Barefoot Doctors of Rural China is a captivating documentary that showcases the resilience, passion, and dedication of healthcare professionals who have devoted their lives to serving rural communities in China. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in healthcare, social justice, and global affairs. It illuminates a moment in time when China's healthcare system underwent transformation, and shows how rural healthcare provision was the cornerstone of the system's success.

Overall, the documentary is a powerful exploration of the barefoot doctor program, which not only provides essential healthcare services but also empowers the community by giving them access to education and training. This, in turn, leads to social and economic development in rural areas, making the barefoot doctor program a crucial part of China's modernization journey.