My understanding is it was a mix of things. Mao had a barefoot doctor program which emphasized practical learning and getting medical practitioners to rural are

My understanding is it was a mix of things. Mao had a barefoot doctor program which emphasized practical learning and getting medical practitioners to rural areas. These practitioners had some valuable knowledge for things like hygiene, but also didn't have access to western drugs so emphasized herbs and other remedies. This was combined with Mao's desire to differentiate China from the USSR and emphasize Chinese cultural unity.