China's State Council adopted a five-year plan on Wednesday to
further develop the country's public health system.
China will establish a basic medical and healthcare network
covering all urban and rural residents by the end of 2010,
according to the plan, passed in principle at an executive meeting
of the State Council.
Participants at the meeting said that pushing forward
development of health services is a crucial task for the government
and a necessary step towards building a harmonious society.
The network will include a public health service system, a rural
cooperative medical care system, an urban community medical service
system, and drug management and public hospital management
systems.
The meeting urged heightened reform of medicine management and
healthcare system, increasing investment in the public health
sector, attaching equal importance to western and traditional
Chinese medicine, and inviting individuals and non-government
organizations to participate in health and medical services.
The meeting, chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao, also passed the 2007 work outline
of the State Council.
(Xinhua News Agency March 22, 2007)