In 1949, there were only 85 medical and health institutions in Ningbo, 15 of which were hospitals. Hospital beds totaled 556 (of which 200 were in city proper), averaging 0.21 bed for every thousand people. Medical personnel totaled 927 people, 595 of which were doctors, averaging 0.37 medical personnel for every thousand people. The medical institutions, medical facilities and medical personnel that were available mainly in downtown areas. The facilities were outdated and standards of medical care low. The situation was even worse in rural areas. Since 1949, with investment from the government, a large number of organizations specializing in medical care, epidemic prevention, maternity health and medicine inspection were set up. During the 50 years since, the State government has put in an increasingly large amount of fund in the field. In 1952, government appropriations for healthcare of Ningbo was on RMB20,000. With the development of national economy, the average annual government appropriations was RMB400,000 in the fifties (1952-1959), RMB860,000 in the sixties, RMB1,650,000 in the seventies, RMB8,720,000 in the eighties and RMB33,600,000 in the nineties until the appropriations for 1998 alone reached RMB47,568,200 (Note: above figures refer to the appropriations for healthcare expended at municipal level and for the three districts of Haishu, Jiangdong and Jiangbei ) .

Investment in healthcare from government during the last 50 years totals RMB978,000,000. In a breakdown, the amount of investment was RMB25,781,500 during the 27 years (1952-1978), RMB952,000,000 during the 20 years (1979-1998). As of 1999, the city boasts of 927 various medical organizations and 13795 hospital beds, averaging 2.56 beds for every thousand people. Professional medical personnel total 19128, averaging 3.51 persons for every thousand people. Medical personnel with title of or above physicians-in-charge totals 3966, making up 21.02% of total, among which, 83 people are senior physicians, 623 associate senior physicians and 3260 intermediate senior physicians. A fairly complete medical and healthcare service system has been basically set up to provide guarantee for public health.

Ningbo is home to 24,000 professional health technical staff, and hospitals have 14,600 beds in serve. With founding of 18 community health serving centers and 48 community health serving stations, a basic community health serving net has come into being. Blood donated gratis accounts for 108% of the clinical blood.