China held its first ever forum on the health and development of the migrant population on Nov 26 in Beijing as part of the implementation of the Health China blueprint initiated by China’s top leadership.

A national forum on health and development of the migrant population was held on Nov 26 in Beijing. [Photo by Guo Yongguo/news.china.com.cn]

Wang Pei'an, deputy head of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, addressed the opening ceremony, saying the migrant population helps to accumulate human capital and contributes to economic growth.

Wang Pei'an, deputy head of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, makes a keynote speech at the opening ceremony. [Photo by Guo Yongguo/news.china.com.cn]

The group, according to Wang, also adds to labor productivity and relieves the pressure of supplying a sufficient work force to satisfy economic development.

Better serving the health and development of the migrant population helps to improve social equity and gives people a better "sense of gain", said Wang.

In his speech, Wang made the following four suggestions to advance the migrant population's position: improve health awareness and literacy, promote equal access to basic public services, advance cross-provincial reimbursement of medical expenses under the new rural cooperative medical system, and deepen research on the target population.

Sub-forums on migrants' employment and family situations and their health services were also held.

Over 350 delegates from health management institutes, research institutes, colleges and universities, and social organizations attended the forum.