Vice-minister of health calls for emergency medical aid system to include more people

A top health official on Tuesday said health authorities at various levels in China should improve their emergency medical relief systems to cover all those in need.

Hospitals should provide medical aid according to relevant standards and regulations to anyone suffering serious diseases who cannot afford medical bills or whose identity is not known at the time of treatment, said Ma Xiaowei, vice-minister in charge of the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

Meanwhile, authorities should improve management of medical relief funds so they are used more effectively, he said.