Scientific innovation should be put at the core of health care reform, using the achievements of scientific researchers to improve people's health conditions, said Liu Yandong, China's vice-premier, as she stressed the importance scientific innovation regarding the health industry in a recent address.

The National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) held a conference on scientific innovation within the health sector in Beijing from Oct 13 to 14. Li Bin, minister of the NHFPC, and Wang Zhigang, a vice-minister, attended the conference and delivered speeches.

Li noted that scientific innovation is a basic guarantee for the development of the health industry as well as an important component for building a powerful nation of science and technology. Health departments at all levels should push for scientific innovation in every health sector to fulfill the coordinated development of the public's health condition and the economy. 

Li urged for scientific innovation in the health sector should be strengthened in six parts: the construction of significant innovative projects, transformation of innovative achievements, the construction of a scientific innovation platform, the construction of a collaborative innovation system, and training or education programs for talented people within the health sector.

Wang introduced the deployment strategy for scientific innovation within the health sector. He believes that systematic innovation should combine with scientific innovation to push forward the development of the health sector. 

The NHFPC has appointed strategy consultants and other experts to assist in developing the scientific innovation strategy for the health sector.

Also taking part in the conference were NHFPC’s vice-ministers Wang Guoqiang, Wang Pei'an, Cui Li, Jin Xiaotao, and Wang Hesheng. Also in attendance was Li Wusi, head of the discipline inspection team, Xu Nanping, vice-minister of Science and Technology, and leading officials from local health departments.