China steps up reforms to improve health care for urban, rural residents

Source: Xinhua | 04-07-2009 08:28

BEIJING, April 6 (Xinhua) -- China will promote health-care reform in four areas -- public health services, medical treatment, medical insurance and drug supply -- for both urban and rural residents, according to a central government document released on Monday.

The reforms will make health-care more convenient and affordable and narrow the urban and rural gap, said the reform guidelines, jointly issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council.

The government will provide unified education on disease prevention and control, health-care for women and children, first aid, blood donation and family planning to both urban and rural residents, the guidelines said.

Efforts will be made to further improve the sanitation of living and working conditions for urban and rural residents and to deal with all forms of pollution, said the document, adding that the monitoring for food sanitation and sanitation at work places and schools will be strengthened.

Medical treatment will mainly depend on nonprofit medical organizations with state-run hospitals playing the major role and commercial hospitals developing in a complementary way, the guidelines said.