Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday called for stepped-up efforts to deepen medical reform in order to make the country's medical service more accessible and affordable.

At a meeting of the leading group for medical reform under the State Council, Li urged to accelerate the building of an essential drug system and the reform of public hospitals.

Noting that the essential drug system had met wide public support since its launch, Li urged authorities to take measures to reduce the prices of overpriced medicines, and to help grassroots health institutions retain sustainable development.

He said 60 percent of grassroots health institutions should use medicines on the essential drug list and sell them at controlled low prices by the end of next year.

The Vice Premier also pointed out that public hospital reform was an important as well as difficult part of the reform.

Efforts must be made to improve public hospitals' services, management and efficiency, he said, adding that the non-governmental sectors should also be encouraged to run hospitals in order to meet the needs of the people.

Li also called on government departments to strengthen leadership and provide financial support for the medical reform.

(Xinhua News Agency December 22, 2009)