Complicated issue

In its statement, the National Health Commission said that in addition to clamping down on corruption, the campaign is aimed at fostering a "clean and clear" industry culture and boosting high-quality development of the healthcare sector.

Hu said medical corruption is an extremely complicated issue. Despite challenges, the campaign should be enforced firmly, as it also presents an opportunity to rebuild doctor-patient relationships and reform drug procurement systems.

"It is essential to mobilize hospitals to return to the function of saving lives and treating people's ailments as public welfare, rather than being driven by making profits," he said.

"Governments, charity organizations and foundations can join efforts to step up investment to hospitals (to ease financial pressure)."

Hu also suggested imposing stricter oversight of key shareholders, such as hospital heads, department heads and doctors, to ensure that their priority is to enhance medical skills and address illnesses, instead of maximizing income.

"It is also important to increase bonuses and housing subsidies for medical workers while nurturing a healthy ethical culture among them," he said.

Hu added that more rules and regulations should be introduced to standardize drug procurement and sales procedures, and pricing mechanisms for medical products.

"More funds should be invested to support enterprises making basic medications that have a slim profit margin. In the meantime, favorable policies can be rolled out to support manufacturers creating more costly and advanced drugs for patients in need," he said.