Ma Xiaowei (left), director of the National Health Commission, signs an agreement with Yuan Jiajun (right), governor of Zhejiang, on Sept 19 in Beijing, to build a national-level regional medical center. [Photo/zj.zjol.com] 

The provincial government of Zhejiang signed an agreement with the National Health Commission to jointly build a national-level regional medical center, according to officials.

Governor Yuan Jiajun of Zhejiang said that the move is an effort by the province to improve its healthcare services and the center will help integrate medical resources.

Yuan added that Zhejiang was one of the first provinces to establish such a center with the National Health Commission.

He said it would strengthen coordination with the commission to make the center one of the best ones in terms of medical treatment, technological innovation and regional influence.

According to the agreement, the two sides will focus on improving clinical research, building up professional medical discipline, disease prevention and control, research cooperation, drug supplies and modern hospital management, among other things.