China's digital and intelligent medical applications are accelerating implementation, driving the transformation of sci-tech innovation achievements

The preliminaries of the 2026 National Medical Simulation Mannequin and Health Sensor Intelligent Perception Competition kicked off in Changsha on June 30, attracting 196 projects from 29 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities across the country. The participating entities include university teams, medical institutions, medical device companies, and industrial R&D organizations. The competition sets tracks around two major directions: medical simulation mannequins and health sensors, with the aim of discovering innovative achievements that are technologically advanced, clinically practical, and replicable for wider application, and of promoting coordinated development of healthcare, medical insurance, and pharmaceuticals. The organizers said the competition will provide projects with services such as policy consultation, investment and financing matchmaking, and implementation incubation, forming a connected platform of “competition + industry matchmaking + achievement transformation.” Hunan said it will rely on its local intelligent manufacturing, medical resources, and unified “ThreeMedicine One Network” data system to promote pilot implementation and transformation of highquality achievements within the province. Some outstanding projects will also have the opportunity to be included in relevant medical insurance catalogues and payment coverage, and receive support in registration, promotion, incubation, and other stages. The competition is jointly hosted by the National Healthcare Security Administration and the People’s Government of Hunan Province, and the preliminaries will run until July 1.