BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Health on Wednesday urged local authorities to do more to help the development of non-public medical institutions.
By 2015, non-public medical institutions are supposed to be capable of providing 20 percent of all hospital beds as well as 20 percent of health services, according to a circular published on the ministry's website.
Local governments should coordinate public and private medical units, while guaranteeing these developments are in the public interest, said the circular.
Overseas investors and social forces such as capable enterprises, charities and insurance companies are encouraged to set up medical institutions, it added.
It also encourages qualified personnel to run private clinics in accordance with the law.
These social forces will be guided to build rehabilitation hospitals, nursing homes and medical units concerning geriatric and chronic disease treatment.
They will also be encouraged to invest in the bottleneck areas of public medical services such as paediatrics, mental health and first aid. Editor: Yang Lina