Private institutions encouraged to play big role in eldercare

Private institutions have been encouraged to play a big role in China's elderly care service industry, the Minister of Civil Affairs said on Tuesday.

Li Liguo said private firms should lead the industry via government procurement, and reform public elderly care institutions and nongovernmental operations with government subsidies.

The ministry also wants pilot regions to find innovative ways when it comes to financing, land use, taxes, talent management and technologies, Li said.

On Sept. 13, the State Council, China's cabinet, issued a guideline to accelerate the development of the country's elderly care services.

"Civil affairs government organs at all levels should fully implement the guideline to build a social care network," Li said, adding that the ministry will dispatch work teams to supervise local eldercare operations in May and June next year.

According to the guideline, China will complete a social care network for its elderly by 2025, when the number of over 60s is expected to reach 300 million.

By 2020, services covering daily care, medical care, psychological counseling and emergency aid will be improved, and for every thousand senior citizens there will be 35 to 40 beds in social elderly care institutions.