China mulls greater support for healthcare industry

BEIJING - The Chinese government plans to further promote the development of healthcare industry to meet the needs of the rapidly growing elderly population.

Healthcare development is a key part of the country's supply-side structural reform and crucial to addressing people's needs, said a statement released after a State Council executive meeting presided over by Premier Li Keqiang Wednesday.

The meeting detailed key tasks, including setting up an action plan for healthcare industry development and streamlining administrative approvals for establishment of medical and elder care institutions.

The government will boost the integration of healthcare with elder care services, tourism, sports and the internet, and a supervisory system will be established to ensure a fair environment for development.

The statement also said that the government will cultivate more health professionals, support the research of urgently needed medicine and the production of medical equipments.

In the meantime, favorable policies will be provided to encourage private medical services, and foreign investors as partners to establish institutions in China.

The meeting also decided to launch pilot programs of home-based elderly care and community elder care services.