Road map charted for universal healthcare

Source: China Daily | 04-07-2009 09:33

A master plan for healthcare over the next decade was unveiled Monday, the first step in a highly anticipated reform of the medical system that aims to provide fair and affordable services for all citizens.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, or the Cabinet, jointly issued the guidelines after more than two years of debate and revision.

By 2020, the country will have a basic healthcare system providing "safe, effective, convenient and affordable" health services for urban and rural residents, they said.

The guidelines will be supplemented by a more detailed plan covering the next three years.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L, front) talks  to a child at Beijing Children's Hospital  in Beijing on September 21, 2008.[Xinhua/file]

The State Council had announced earlier this year that more than 850 billion yuan ($124 billion) would be spent by 2011 to provide universal medical services to the country's 1.3 billion residents.