Hospital agency to push medical reforms

BEIJING - A campaign to improve healthcare in the capital took a "crucial step" on Thursday when a new body charged with overseeing the operation of hospitals officially got to work.

Following the examples set by four other Chinese cities, Beijing has established a Hospital Authority responsible for completing a variety of tasks called for in a plan to reform the city's medical system.

The 60 members of the authority will be charged with supervising 22 prominent hospitals and ensuring that they are following government policies. It will also appoint chief executives to such places and purchase medical equipment for them.