Medical policy encourages private practices
6/11/2003 18:16
A new policy to promote the emergence and development of private
medical services and agencies will soon be enacted in the city, government
spokesperson Jiao Yang announced yesterday.
"We are gradually inviting
private capital to the medical sector, while adhering to the core developments
of the public medicare centers," said Jiao Yang at the Nov 5 government press
conference.
"Private" here refers to the private hospitals and medical
institutions with private stakes, which are seldom seen in the city now.
The
government is encouraging their developments to speed up its reforms in the
medicare system and to satisfy patients with more diversified needs, Jiao
said.
A competitive edge can invigorate the market, upgrade service and
improve efficiency.
Jiao also revealed some specifics.
Both under strict
management of local authorities, private hospitals and medical centers can be
divided into two kinds: non-profitable and profitable. The latter can price
services on their own.
Foreign funds will also be allowed for the first time.
In the forms of joint-ventures or wholly owned ventures, foreign capital
will be used to ease unemployment tension and boost applications in the costly
medical high-tech area.
In case of emergencies, private medicare centers are
all obliged to obey government orders.
At the same time, government
allowances and subsidies will also be available as a reward.
Vicky Xu / Shanghai Daily news
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