Hospital challenge mulled

BEIJING - More than a year after the latest phase of China's ongoing medical reforms started, the nation's top health official conceded many uncertainties remain about how best to improve public hospitals.

Minister of Health Chen Zhu made the remarks on Thursday from the sidelines of the Fourth Session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

"Now, it still remains a tough question; how to operate public hospitals in our country," said Chen, who is a CPPCC member with no party affiliation. "Given that health administrations at both the central and local levels are actively groping for a way that might work, I am confident that we can finally figure it out."