MoH sets broad 2011 goals for health care system
Shanghai. April 13. INTERFAX-CHINA - China's Ministry of Health (MoH) issued a circular April 12 setting a series of broad goals for the health care system in 2011.
The circular asks Grade III hospitals to improve booking systems for appointments and to encourage more patients to book visits in advance.By the end of the year, at least 20 percent of patients transferring from community health centers (CHC) to Grade III hospitals should book hospital stays in advance, according to the circular. At least 50 percent of revisits should be pre-booked, while at least 60 percent of revisits by post-operative patients should be reserved in advance, the MoH document said.
Grade III hospitals are advised to provide sufficient nursing services in at least 50 percent of their wards so patients need not rely on extra help from family members - a common practice in China. In addition, 40 percent of city-level hospitals and 20 percent of county-level hospitals are advised to meet this nursing care requirement by year-end.
Grade III hospitals should encourage doctors to do volunteer work in areas with large migrant populations and on a grassroots level.
Furthermore, the ministry urged hospitals to curb the unreasonable use of antibiotics and ensure the implementation of clinical pathways, as well as caps on medical expenses for certain diseases.Minister of Health Chen Zhu also said there would be tougher legal penalties for medical malpractice.
Provincial health departments have to submit implementation plans to the MoH by May 1 this year.- KZ