Chinese vice premier calls for deepening medical reform

Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday called for deepening medical reform, strengthening the guarantee for serious diseases and stopping hospitals from reliance on drug sales.

The medical reform, initiated in 2009, is significant as it "has an overall impact and concerns immediate public interests," Li, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said at a meeting.

Deepening the medical reform will improve people's livelihoods and health, boost consumption and promote the development of related industries, which is conducive to economic growth, adjustment of economic structure and transformation of the growth mode, Li said.

Currently, the reform has entered a "crucial stage," with difficult issues constantly emerging, he said.

Efforts should be made to strengthen the national healthcare network, improve the essential drug system and promote the reform of public hospitals, said the vice premier.