China's central government has allocated 1.726 billion yuan (about US$250 million) to subsidize medical equipment purchases in central and western regions, according to the Ministry of Finance.

This investment was part of the country's ambitious 850-billion-yuan health care reform plan, the ministry said on Friday.

Under the three-year plan (2009-2011), the government has promised universal access to basic health insurance, introduction of an essential drug system, improved primary health care facilities, equitable access to basic public health services and pilot reform of state-run hospitals.

According to the ministry, another 381 million yuan has been earmarked from the central budget to subsidize hand-foot-mouth disease prevention and treatment, as well as the purchase of equipment to diagnose children who drank melamine-tainted milk.

(Xinhua News Agency April 25, 2009)