China will ensure comprehensive community health services in all major cities by 2010, so as to make citizens enjoy disease prevention and treatment services in their residential areas.

 

The information was disclosed here on Wednesday from the State Council's executive meeting which was presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao. The meeting discussed and proved in principle the State Council's suggestions on developing urban community health services.

 

The meeting held that community health services should feature nonprofit public welfare mainly sponsored by the government together with some non-governmental funds.

 

"To establish the community health system in cities should fully utilize current health and medical resources, improve community health service network, lay equal stress on traditional Chinese medical sciences and Western medical sciences, and give equal focus on prevention and treatment," according to the meeting.

 

In a bid to realize the goal, departments concerned should optimize urban medical resources and improve community health service network.

 

"Local governments should establish a stable investment system for community health services. The Central government will earmark certain amount of funds to sponsor the building of community health services in cities of the country's Western areas. Unofficial investment is also encouraged to flow in," the meeting said.

 

Personnel reform and income distribution reform will be conducted. Flexible personnel entry and exit system will be established in the community health services, so as to ensure high-quality services.

 

The community health services will offer medical services for the citizens who enjoy urban medical insurance. Doctors and nurses working for the community health services will be regularly trained. And medical staff in hospitals are encouraged to work in community health services.

 

Supervision on the operation of the community health services will be tightened. Qualification of medical staff and quality of medicines will be strictly examined, according to the meeting.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2006)