The People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China has more than
doubled its annual healthcare budget to an equivalent of 180 yuan
(US$23.7) per person, according to PLA's General Logistics
Department.
"The level of the adjustment is the largest for decades," said
Li Jianhua, director of the health bureau under the General
Logistics Department.
The per capita annual health budget for PLA serviceman has
increased from 72 yuan (US$9.5) to 180 yuan (US$23.7) per person,
up 150 percent, Li said.
The annual hospitalization budget for retired officers and
in-service officers above division level has been adjusted from an
average of 35,000 yuan (US4,605) to 54,000 yuan (US$7,105) per bed
per person, up 54 percent, he said.
Family members of PLA soldiers can enjoy an annual budget of 180
yuan (US$23.7) per person, up from 100 yuan (US$13.16), he
said.
"The adjustment aims to alleviate the pressure caused by the
disparity between supply and demand and to basically meet medical
requirements of the soldiery and retired officers," he said.
Earlier this year, the PLA increased food subsidies to 11 yuan
per day (US$1.45) per person from 10 yuan to offset the impact of
price hikes and improve food for soldiers, as "military training
demands a lot of energy and a strong body", said Liao Xilong,
director the department.
(Xinhua News Agency October 12, 2007)