The National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) and Ministry of Civil Affairs held a national conference on the combination of medical treatment and nursing care in Beijing on April 26.

Wang Pei'an, vice-minister of the NHFPC, gave a positive appraisal of the achievements made by combining medical treatment and nursing care.

Noting that "The policy system for the combination has been gradually improved," he urged that the next step for health departments at all levels should be to explore multiple forms for medical treatment and nursing to ensure elderly people can enjoy a full range of care.

Gao Xiaobing, vice-minister of Civil Affairs, said that the combination of medical treatment and nursing care should have a clear orientation and further improve the service quality for elderly nursing. Governments should guarantee that the impoverished elderly are included.

Also taking part in the conference were officials from the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other relevant departments.