The Chinese Medical Doctors Association was founded Wednesday in Beijing, signalling a profound change in the administrative system for professional physicians.
More than 800 experts and doctors nationwide attended the opening ceremony.
The association was established to meet the needs of the increasing number of foreign-funded and private hospitals in China.
Such organizations are common in developed countries.
China's old system of supervising doctors in State-owned hospitals had become obsolete, said Yin Dakui, association chairman and former vice health minister.
The new association is a welcome change, Yin said.
After two years of preparation, the non-governmental organization is now open to the country's two million professional doctors. It aims to strengthen the administration of doctors through self-disciplined regulations, Yin said.
The association's major tasks include helping the government to build a system to give examinations and approve doctors' qualifications; overseeing health departments' supervision of professional doctors; and designing professional training programmes.
The organization also will regulate doctors' behaviour and advocate self-discipline.
In addition, the association shoulders the task of safeguarding doctors' interests so they can better serve their patients.
"The association will cast a profound influence on the ongoing reform of China's medical system and medical service market now that China is a member of the World Trade Organization," Yin said.
As the medical reform progresses, the government will entrust the association with more tasks, he said.
(China Daily January 10, 2002)
