China continues medical reform efforts

BEIJING -- China will continue its efforts to deepen reform in the medical and healthcare sector in 2013, said the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) on Thursday.

According to a recent outline issued by the State Council, China will aim at 26 tasks for the reform, including accelerating the building of a national healthcare system, consolidating the basic drug system, improving the operation of grassroots medical institutions and promoting reform of public hospitals.

More efforts will also be made to guarantee subsidies for rural doctors and accelerate the establishment of public-funded medical institutions.

The country will create a mechanism to assess and monitor the process while exercising the reform, and solve emerging problems in a timely manner, said the NHFPC.

According to the commission, the 26 tasks will be jointly carried out by the NHFPC, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the State Commission Office for Public Sector Reform as well as eight additional departments.