More than 70 percent of Chinese netizens said in an online survey, released by the Beijing News on Sunday, that they agreed with the government's proposal demanding public hospitals to offer clinic appointment services.

The Ministry of Health issued a document Wednesday proposing that public hospitals accept appointments starting from October and give priority in medical treatment to the patients who have made appointments.

Public opinions are being solicited for the adjustment of the proposal.

Currently, people have to queue in front of hospital registration desks to seek medical care on the same day. Access to famous hospitals or doctors is often a mission impossible no matter how early patients start queuing.

"The problem can be solved if 70 percent to 80 percent of patients make appointments," said Zhang Jingbo, vice president of the Beijing Chest Hospital.

Zhang said, the key to the hospital appointment is standardized services and prices, and relevant services should be carried out for the convenience of the public.

The online survey also revealed that 59 percent of the respondents said the government should set up pricing and service monitoring mechanism to prevent misuse of medical resources.

(Xinhua News Agency August 9, 2009)