China will further promote the outpatient real-name system for appointments, with the trial operation expected to cover all third-class hospitals in 2017, according to a news conference held on Feb 8 in Beijing.

The National Health and Family Planning Commission holds a press conference on the improvement of medical services on Feb 8, 2017. [Photo by Pang Rui/china.com.cn]

This move is aimed at furthering advancing the scope of the system, and thus curbing the hospital scalpers and improving medical efficiency, according to Jiao Yahui, deputy director of the Medical Administration Division of the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC).

Jiao Yahui, deputy director of the Medical Administration Division of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, addresses the press conference on Feb 8, 2017. [Photo by Pang Rui/china.com.cn]

Jiao explained that since the identity information is centrally managed by the Ministry of Public Security, the top health watchdog is working closely with the police to check the real identity of registered patients.

The NHFPC is working hard to develop a reliable and practical system, and is exploring new measures to solve privacy concerns and general issues of the people, noted Jiao.

"We are striving to make new achievements in such areas as appointment, diagnosis and treatment, day surgery, emergency treatment, and the protection of patient privacy," said Jiao.

China ranks its hospitals according to a three-class rating system, with the third-class hospitals at the top.

By the end of 2017, the rate of outpatient real-name appointment in the third-class hospital would be no less than 50 percent, said Jiao, adding that the appointment rate of further treatment of the same patient would be no less than 80 percent.