China calls for better public hospital management to promote healthcare quality

BEIJING -- China's National Health Commission called on public hospitals to improve their management in a bid to promote healthcare quality and efficiency.

Public hospitals should enhance their service quality and economic benefits, said Ma Xiaowei, head of the commission.

The move requires public hospitals to spend more on improving medical doctors' incomes instead of the hospitals' equipment or buildings.

Improving public hospital management is an important measure to make medical treatment affordable for all, which is a major goal of China's deepened medical reform, Ma said.

According to Ma, China will promote partnerships between medical institutions of different levels across the country, improve medical services provided by county hospitals and facilitate wider access to telemedicine services in rural areas.

The country will also promote contracted family doctor services, which are provided by a group of doctors including general practitioners registered with grassroots health institutions, qualified doctors at township clinics and village doctors, Ma said.