Growth of for-profit hospitals should be limited

BEIJING - A medical industry report has suggested that for-profit private hospitals should account for about 20 to 30 percent of China's total number of hospitals, the Health News reported on Wednesday.

The Health News, a newspaper run by the Ministry of Health, cited the "Development Report on Private Hospitals in China (1984-2012)," which states that 50 to 60 percent of China's hospitals should be public, with non-profit private hospitals accounting for 25 to 40 percent and for-profit private hospitals accounting for 20 to 30.

The report said for-profit hospitals should offer more tailored and high-end medical services, such as plastic surgery.

Demand for high-end medical care has grown in China. However, since such care is only affordable for a small part of the population, the number of for-public private hospitals should be kept smaller to avoid too much competition, the report said.

The report said the US has the greatest share of for-profit private hospitals at 69 percent, as there is significant demand for high-end care in the US.

The development of private hospitals is part of ongoing health reforms, which include several policies that are intended to create a balanced development environment for both private and public hospitals.

The report was compiled by academics, health administrators, researchers and managers of private hospitals organized by the Chinese Hospital Association.