Premier Li Keqiang vows more access to high-quality medical resources

World
Europe

China will further improve its medical insurance policies, especially the serious disease insurance system, so as to prevent Chinese families from being overwhelmed by such difficulties, said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during Tuesday’s press conference.

Li’s remarks came after the closing session of the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The premier said the country has put great efforts in constructing the world’s largest medical insurance system to guarantee that every citizen would have access to medical care and could receive quality treatment for both minor and serious diseases.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaks at the press conference, March 20, 2018, Beijing, China. /Xinhua Photo‍

Li said that there are still many families in the country that have no access to high-quality medical resources. To tackle that problem, the premier vowed to put the treatment of serious diseases on the agenda of the government.

Last year, Li said over 17 million people have been covered under the insurance for serious diseases, thanks to the combination of the basic medical insurance and the commercial insurance. He vowed to continue in those efforts.

“Half of the newly increased subsidies this year in the medical insurance will be combined with the commercial insurance to ensure that at least 20 million people could be covered under the insurance system of serious diseases,” said Li. “And the system will cover more types of diseases.”

The press conference held by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, China, March 20, 2018.. /Xinhua Photo

The premier also vowed to enable more people to have access to the high-quality medical resources through “internet plus” and “medical treatment alliances”.

China will adopt further opening-up policies in the sector of old-age care, healthcare and education to forge a fairer environment and improve the industries’ capability in competition.

“We will further lower the tariff on some hot commodities, including medicines, especially the anti-cancer medicines that are badly needed by customers. We are aiming at cutting the tariff for the anti-cancer medicines to zero,” said Li Keqiang while talking about China’s future opening-up policies.

To conclude, Li said all the efforts of the Communist Party of China and the government boil down to the protection and improvement of the people’s livelihood.

1km