China pledges efforts to develop medical institution partnerships

China's State Council on Wednesday called for concrete measures to improve medical services through partnerships between medical institutions.

Establishing and developing institutional partnerships is important for health care reform and medical resource allocation, according to a statement released after a State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang.

Partnerships in different forms at various levels should be established in both urban and rural areas, with municipal-level public hospitals taking a leading role.

Policies concerning government funds, medical insurance and personnel management should be adjusted to facilitate a nationwide trial of institutional partnerships. In most cases, personnel practicing in different institutions within a partnership will be able to transfer freely between partners.

The statement stressed that resources and information would be better shared within partnerships, with a collaboration network on distance healthcare for remote and poor regions.

Nursing facilities and rehabilitation institutions will be encouraged to participate in partnerships.

The family doctor system should expand to include all people living under poverty line by the end of this year. Endi