Government departments at all levels have so far set up their own official websites to provide administrative information services for citizens. Since its initiation in 1999, Beijing Health Information Website, i.e., the official website for Beijing Municipal Health Bureau (BMHB), has gradually become an important channel, through which citizens and a wide range of medical institutions acquire administrative information and make interactive communication with the governmental authority.
Many columns of Beijing Health Information Website has been available to serve the whole society, for instance, health news, release of government information, online office work, information search, comprehensive services and other sections as well as “health express”—a special column for the purpose of disseminating knowledge about disease prevention through articles and videos. Moreover, the website also offers about 20 online consultancy services, including governmental email, search engines for medical institutions, doctors, and medcine prices, which facilitate citizens to be informed of government affairs.
“Online Approval Hall” can be found on Beijing Health Information Website. Before applying for health administration approval, such as hygiene certificate, exam and permit for medical treatment ads, registration and alteration of licensed doctors and medical institutions, applicants can first log on “Online Approval Hall” to learn about relevant instructions and procedures, download required forms and then bring along the filled-in forms to BMHB’s service hall (1st floor, Zhong Huan Square, 70 Zao Lin Qian Street, Xuanwu District) so that the formalities can be simplified significantly and completed in a timesaving manner. After the submission of their applications, applicants can inquire about application results via the website. All the aforesaid services give convenience for applicants, improve the working efficiency of governmental organs, standardize the handling process and schedule of examination and approval, and All the aforesaid services play as a social supervisor for the government work.
The Beijing Olympic Games has given an impetus to the development of Beijing Health Information Website. In order to help more foreign friends, the website has launched English, French and Japanese versions, which not only has functions concerning the handling procedures of foreign doctors’ temporary practice in China and opening joint venture hospitals, but also provides the function of downloading forms. As the English version of website has been endowed with search function, foreigners can find addresses, telephone numbers and other information of the Olympic-designated hospitals and joint-venture hospitals in the form of electronic map, or download Chinese-English information about such hospitals via mobile phones. In a word, everything is simple and easy.
We sincerely invite all citizens and friends to visit our website www.bjhb.gov.cn. Your opinions and suggestions are invaluable to our work with a view to the perfection of this official website.