BEIJING — China is piloting an internet plus nursing program from February to December, according to a notice by the National Health Commission to local health authorities.

Under the program, approved medical institutions can send their nurses to communities or homes to serve patients who are too old or restricted by their diseases to move.

The names of these medical institutions will be made public by health authorities.

Six provincial-level regions across the country — Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong — have been chosen for the pilot program.

Other provincial-level regions may also select a few cities or prefectures to take part in the program.

The program requires nurses to have at least five years of clinical nursing experience.

Data generated during the service is required to be recorded to meet regulatory needs. Positioning systems and one-button alarm equipment are also provided to ensure the safety of the nurses.

Needs for home nursing care has rapidly increased in China. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, as of the end of 2017, the population aged 60 or above in China reached 240 million, accounting for 17.3 percent of China’s total population. Senior people with chronic diseases accounted for 65 percent of the total senior population.