Sponsored by China Medical Board (CMB), Westlake Forum III was co-hosted by Zhejiang University and Emory University from April 10 to 12 in Atlanta. The theme of the forum was “Healthcare Reform in China and the U. S.: Similarities, Differences and Challenges”. More than 250 participants attended the forum. Professor Yu Hai from School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Professor Jeffery Koplan, Director of Emory Global Health Institute, co-chaired the forum.
Former Vice-minister of the Ministry of Health and the Dean of Zhejiang University School of Public Health Academician Wang Longde made a keynote speech on the healthcare reform in China, and Dr. Howard Koh, the 14th Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, on the reform in the U.S. Experts at the forum discussed issues concerning universal health care, medical care for special populations, equity and accessibility in public health services, management in medical services, professional ethics of medical staffs and so on. In addition, attendees also explored the possibilities of international cooperation in medical personnel training and academic exchange.
Westlake Forum is a series of symposia initiated by Zhejiang Medical University and China Medical Board. The purpose of this forum is to provide a platform for university academicians and government officials to discuss the major health policy issues facing China’s healthcare system. The first Westlake Forum was held in May 2007 with the theme of Health Equity and Health Security Systems; the second forum, Healthy China 2020: Policy and Action, was held in February 2009. Both forums were convened at the famous West Lake in the city of Hangzhou.“Westlake Forum III” was the third conference in the Westlake series, and the first held in the United States, attracting much attention from young Chinese Scholars working and studying in the U.S. It’s reported that in order to promote Sino-US exchanges and cooperation, China Medical Board will set up Young Faculty Seed Grant.