On July 17, the NHFPC held a conference for the compiling team of the 13th Five-Year Plan, which arranged the compilation of the health sector’s working plan for the next Five-Year Plan from 2016 to 2020. Head of the commission, Li Bin, attended the meeting and made a speech. Sun Zhigang, deputy head of the commission, presided over the meeting and briefed the preparation of the Five-Year Plan compilation as well as works in the next step. The conference reviewed major topics and special programs for preparation of the compilation.

Li Bin said that during the 13th Five-Year Plan period, China’s health and family planning sector will meet opportunities and favorable conditions for development as well as face new situations and challenges.

In recent years, health and family planning work has played a more and more important role in expanding domestic consumption, increasing jobs, and promoting social and economic progress. The first half-year witnessed downward pressure on economic growth, but national development eventually attained stable development. The health and family planning sector played an important role in this.

The 18th CPC Central Committee set a goal of creating a well-off society by 2020. It hopes to ensure basic medical care for all people. Health and family planning work during the 13th Five-Year Plan period will work to meet higher requirements, Li said.

 China currently faces multiple health challenges, with the rapid development of urbanization, an aging population, industrialization and globalization, and the growing burden of chronic non-infectious diseases. With the deepening of healthcare reform, some deep-rooted problems will emerge. China should make efforts to compile the 13th Five-Year Plan according to the country’s overall plan and requirements in order to guide the scientific development of health and family planning, Li said.