CPC vows to build a 'healthy China'

BEIJING - The Communist Party of China (CPC) has vowed to build a "healthy China" with a better health system and balancing the population through the two-child policy.

In a proposal for the 13th five-year plan (2016-2020), the CPC called for an efficient basic healthcare system in both urban and rural areas and modern management of hospitals.

The proposal encourages the private sector to run health services with the same status as public institutions. The Party proposed improved public hospitals, unburdened from the necessity of seeking profit alongside personnel and remuneration systems appropriate to the health industry. Cybermedicine and optimizing distribution of resources will improve basic health services.

In a bid to build a harmonious doctor-patient relations, monitoring of health care quality and mechanisms to mediate medical disputes need to be improved.

Traditional Chinese medicine will be well supported. The proposal suggests prevention as the most efficient way of lowering the costs associated with many diseases. Medicines will be appropriately priced and the free supply of special medicines for HIV should be increased, and costs for treating other chronic diseases should be lowered.

The proposal allows all couples to have two children, but demands improved public services for reproductive health, maternal and child health, and more nurseries and kindergartens. Families which have followed the one-child policy but are now in difficulties should be helped.

The proposal actively addresses aging of the population through a family-based multi-level care service system with participation of communities and institutions. Care service for the elderly should be a fully open market.

Men and women are equal, the CPC said in the statement, vowing to protect the rights of women and minors. Help for people with disabilities should be improved.

The proposal was approved in the Fifth Plenary Session of CPC's 18th Central Committee last week and will be submitted to the top legislature for ratification in March.