Objective To examine the implementation of charities aid projects for patients with severe diseases under social assistance system in China to provide references for the development of medical charity aid in China.

Methods We collected information on charities aid projects for patients with severe diseases implemented till 2018 in China through websites of projects parties, public media, and public service websites of non-governmental organization (NGO). We analyzed the institutional qualification of project party, resource recruitment, and assistance manner of the projects.

Results Totally 133 charities aid projects for patients with severe diseases were implemented under social assistance system in China and 31 charity foundations were involved in the projects, of which, 70.97% (22) were graded as 4A or above NGOs. The projects covered the patients with 21 common or rare severe diseases and 69.92% (93) of the projects covered the patients in regions across China. Of the 31 project parties of projects were medical charitable relief projects from the social assistance platform for severe disease of China. For all the projects, about 10% (13) had financial support from central government; 106 had the support from enterprises; 117 were cooperated with assigned medical or pharmaceutical institutions; and 69.92% (93) adopted aid manners of allocating medical resources directly.

Conclusion The charities aid projects for patients with severe diseases in China have been supported by social resources from multiple subjects but there are still some issues such as insufficient financial support, less coverage of the assistance for special diseases and insufficient adequacy of aids.