On February 8, 1980, a special signing ceremony took place in the conference room of the former Fuwai Hospital.
The first twenty-six recruits officially joined the first pilot privately contracted hospital in Hua Country's history.
Besides the eighteen people recruited through interviews, there was an eight-man security team made up of military veterans. At least four of them could drive, to meet the later need for drivers.
With Professor He of Capital City Political Science and Law University as a witness, they formally signed their employment contracts.
A new form of employment, higher pay than an "iron rice bowl" job, proper employment contracts...
All of it drew the public's attention.
Reporters captured the moment on camera.
For some time now, every move this hospital made had been a focus of public attention.
From the introduction of the new policy to the pilot healthcare reform, every step broke new ground, every step challenged old ways of thinking.
Plenty of people were watching for entertainment, and plenty were hoping to see it fail. But even more were looking forward to seeing new developments and new achievements following Reform and Opening Up! They hoped the new policies would bring tangible changes to their lives!
History was written step by step by brave pioneers like these.
Riding the wave of interest in its first recruits starting work, the hospital soon published the positions and requirements for its second recruitment round.
This time, it was recruiting qualified professionals.
From doctors to nurses to pharmacists, from entry-level positions to management roles, the jobs and salaries were clearly laid out.
It caused an uproar.
The sheer number of positions and the high salaries left people stunned.
Of course, the professional qualifications and requirements were no less demanding.
Unlike the previous round, applications and résumés would be accepted