KUWAIT CITY, Oct 24: China has documented approximately 780,000 cases of rare diseases from the inception of the Rare Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Service Information System in 2019 up to the end of September 2023.

During the China Conference 2023 on rare diseases, Jiao Yahui, an official from the National Health Commission, emphasized the substantial importance of this data, stating, "This data is of significant value for gaining insights into the epidemiology, clinical diagnosis, and medical support landscape of rare diseases in China," reports Al-Rai daily.

It's noteworthy that around 80 percent of rare diseases are genetically linked, and approximately 50 percent of these conditions manifest in childhood. Despite the individual rarity of specific diseases, the sheer volume of cases in China can be attributed to its vast population.

In 2019, a network of 324 hospitals was established to foster national collaboration in the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases. These hospitals implemented a two-way remote referral and consultation system. Furthermore, medical institutions at all levels are mandated to record rare disease case information using the Rare Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Service Information System.

In September 2023, China expanded its list of rare diseases, adding to it and bringing the total number of rare diseases on the list to 207.