‍To explore China's organ transplantation and health care reforms, Closer to China sits down with Huang Jiefu, former Vice Minister of Health. 

In 2015 Huang was awarded the Gusi Peace Prize for his outstanding achievement in China's organ transplant reform.

The followings are the highlights of Huang Jiefu's interview in November, 2015.The video reflects the guest's opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Please share your feelings when you first heard that you were nominated and won the Gusi Peace Prize?

It was a very exciting experience. However, this award is not only a recognition of personal achievement, but also the progress of the country and the prize of collective effort.

As you know, the strong support of high leadership is the guarantee for the success of the organ transplantation reform. 

You faced enormous challenges during this whole period of time, how did you personally feel during organ transplantation reform?

As a matter of fact, it has been the dream for the organ transplantation surgeons for many years, for example the founders of organ transplantation, Professor Wu Jieping and Professor Qiu Huazu, both of them have already passed away, they talked about the dream that the usage of the organ of executed prisoner should be replaced by the community-based organ donation. 

Many people gave their supports, especially the strong support from the central government, it is the guarantee for the reform.

What has been the reaction in Chinese society to this dramatic organ transplantation reform?

The reaction has been very positive. Many warm repercussions come from the whole society. 

Everybody thinks it is the right thing to do because China is a civilized country. 

Many high-ranking officials as well as the transplant surgeons gave their greetings, especially many young surgeons.

Many civilian organ donation stories and programs from CCTV, and many newspapers including the local ones, published the moving stories of organ donation from citizens.

What's the reaction of the international community to China's organ transplant system now?  

This August, the OPO (Organ Procurement Organization) alliance was held in Guangzhou. 

At that time, WHO(World Health Organization) officials in charge of organ transplantation, president of TTS (The Transplantation Society), and over 20 leaders from international transplant societies came to China to attend that conference.

Seeing is believing. Before the conference, they visited several transplant centers. They were shocked when they saw the date, the patients and the donors. 

They were invited to meet the vice chairman Chen Zhu to discuss the policy for the Red Cross. They were convinced of what's happening in China. 

Truth is truth. Fact is fact. Pleasing everybody is not the wish, doing the right things for the people is of utmost importance.

Can you reflect on the importance for organ transplantation reform in general?

Organ transplantation reform is one of the most difficult parts of the health care reform. It's very sensitive and complex. 

Now the civilian voluntary organ donation system is fair, transparent and just. The whole society supports the reform. 

Organ donation and transplant service are related to people's interests, it is important that ordinary people can enjoy transplant services for life-saving purpose. 

What is your advice for the future health care reform? 

The government must take responsibility in ensuring basic Medicare services are public goods for all people. 

At the same time, they must use the mechanism of the market-oriented reform and push forward health care reform. 

Because Chinese economy is a socialist market economy, it is not a planned economy. 

The reform requires the art and the strategy of high leadership.

In 2009, nobody got medical insurance, now it is 100%. Both rural and urban people could be covered by medical insurance. 

70% of the expenses for the Medicare services are covered by government-provided insurance schemes. It is a great progress for 1.3 billion people.