Born in
Baoshan,
Jiangsu Province (now in
Shanghai), Qian entered
Tongji University in 1926 to study German language and art. From 1928, he studied medicine in Baolong Hospital of Tongji University (
Tongji Medical College affiliated in
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, current). In December 1940, the health department of 129th army division and the field army health department of
Eighth Route Army headquarters merged, and Qian became the head of new health department. In 1945, he was appointed as head of health department of
Shanxi-
Hebei-
Shandong-
Henan military region. After formation of PR China, Qian was sent to
Soviet Union in 1951 and studied at USSR First Medical College. In 1955, he attained the rank of major general of the
People's Liberation Army of China. After returning to China in 1956, he was appointed as vice director of health department of PLA
General Logistics Department, and the president of PLA
Academy of Military Medical Sciences. In 1957, he became the deputy Minister of Health. Before the
Cultural Revolution, the Ministry of Health focused on the delivery of health care in urban hospitals, a model which Qian promoted. Mao Zedong criticized Qian for this, arguing that an urban hospital-focused health care model failed to treat peasants and focused on cure rather than preventative medicine. ==See also==