China Starts Dismantling Covid-Era Hospitals
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A “fangcang” hospital sits idle and dilapidated by Zhengzhou airport in Henan province Wednesday. Photo:Chen Liang/Caixin
Several Chinese localities have begun dismantling temporary medical facilities built during the Covid-19 pandemic, including makeshift quarantine wards, as many have remained idle since the country fully lifted its pandemic control measures more than two years ago.
One of the latest examples comes from Dongguan in South China’s Guangdong province, where a local development zone management committee began late last year auctioning the assets of the Dongguan Eco-Industrial Park Health Center — which was repurposed as a makeshift hospital in late 2022.
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- Chinese localities, including Dongguan and Wenchang, are dismantling idle temporary medical facilities, such as quarantine wards from the Covid-19 pandemic, with some being auctioned or repurposed.
- The Dongguan Eco-Industrial Park Health Center began auctions in late 2023, successfully selling electrical cables for over 5.9 million yuan after initial unsuccessful attempts.
- Many makeshift hospitals face issues like high auction prices and low demand; local governments aim to recycle or repurpose facilities, as done in Chongqing for rental or healthcare use.
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What Happened When
- Late 2022：
- The Dongguan Eco-Industrial Park Health Center was repurposed as a makeshift hospital.
- November 2022：
- The center was converted into a makeshift hospital and designated treatment center.
- December 2022：
- China scrapped its pandemic control policies.
- Earlier this year：
- Hefei in East China's Anhui province and Wenchang in Hainan began dismantling their 'fangcang' hospitals.
- June 2023：
- A district health regulator in Chongqing municipality planned to convert the buildings for other uses.
- October 2024：
- The auction project of the Dongguan Eco-Industrial Park Health Center was initially listed but failed to secure a buyer.
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