Zhenjiang City establishes two medical groups
Shanghai. November 9. INTERFAX-CHINA - As part of Zhenjiang City's public hospital reform program, a number of institutions in the city have consolidated to form two medical groups, the Zhenjiang government announced on Nov. 7.
The two groups, Jiangsu Kangfu Medical Group and Jiangsu Jiangbin Medical Group, were established on Nov. 6, according to the official statement.
Jiangsu Kangfu Medical Group was formed by Zhenjiang No. 1 People's Hospital, Zhenjiang No. 2 People's Hospital, Zhenjiang No. 4 People's Hospital, Zhenjiang New District Hospital, five community health centers and other grassroots medical institutions in the city.
Jiangsu Jiangbin Medical Group consists of the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang No. 3 People's Hospital, Zhenjiang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, No. 359 People's Liberation Army Hospital, seven community health centers and other medical institutions.
The two groups have similar resources in terms of assets and medical technologies, which will be helpful in generating competition in the medical services sector, according to the statement.
"The establishment of such medical groups will help implement patient transfer between smaller grassroots institutions and large hospitals, but introducing private investment can only happen with support from the local government," Li Yingpeng, pharmaceutical analyst with Galaxy Securities told Interfax on Nov. 9.
According to the reform outline, public hospitals will set up committees to employ hospital directors and chief officers in charge of financial matters and hospital operations, to include the purchase and administration of drugs . The salary system of doctors will be also be reformed in an attempt to improve hospital efficiency.
Public hospital reform in Zhenjiang began in October and is expected to reach completion before the end of 2010, according to the guideline.
Zhenjiang is the only city in Jiangsu Province selected to undergo public hospital reform trials.
- KZ