Children with respiratory diseases wait to receive treatment at a hospital in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. (Photo : Reuters)
Premier Li Keqiang has issued written instructions on April 29, Wednesday, calling for further medical reform measures to overcome the difficulties in and improve the country’s healthcare system, the Global Times reported.
The report said that Li's instructions identified some of the key areas that needed attention. These included instructions that say that hospitals should be prevented from getting their finances through drug sales, that the medical insurance payment system must be improved, that private entities should be encouraged to set up healthcare businesses, and a multi-tiered diagnosis and treatment system for patients should be established.
The report said that Li also asked that county-level hospitals should be reformed and medical insurance should cover more serious diseases.
Vice Premier Liu Yandong said during the meeting that all departments should work together to ensure the success of the medical reform, which she said was at a difficult and crucial stage.
Liu said all county-level hospitals and the city-level hospital pilot scheme would be increased to 100 as part of the reform measures across the country.
The vice premier also stressed that patients should not bear the burden on the prices of medicines, which can be reduced by strict regulation.
In 2009, the central government pledged to promote healthcare reform in four areas--public health services, medical treatment, medical insurance and drug supply--for both urban and rural residents.
According to the guidelines, the reforms are expected to make healthcare more convenient and affordable for both urban and rural residents.
Under the guidelines, the government will also provide unified education on disease prevention and control, healthcare for women and children, first aid, blood donation, and family planning to both urban and rural residents.
