Liangjiang New Area made progress in 2017 in its efforts to benefit patients and improve their livelihood.

About 3.35 million yuan was allocated to 8,785 impoverished people affected by diseases, an increase of 30 percent compared to the previous year. 2.51 million yuan is the basic living allowance for urban residents.

It effectively relieves people of the burden of crippling medical expenses and reduces poverty brought about by illness.

In 2017, Liangjiang New Area pressed ahead with medical assistance and took several measures to ease the burden on the people.

Training conferences was organized on social assistance policies and improve the "one-stop" service system of medical assistance in the area by strengthening management of designated medical institutions.

Liangjiang New Area hosts its annual training conference on medical assistance policies. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Liangjiang New Area has signed agreements with 60 designated medical institutions to offer more targeted help to impoverished people.

"We offer medical assistance to anyone in need," said a manager. Liangjiang has reviewed the standards of basic living allowance, temporary assistance and medical aid of a large sum for the handicapped, providing better care for the ones in need.

In 2017, 955 people from 581 households registered with local authorities as low-income families were lifted out of poverty through targeted poverty alleviation.

A manager with social security bureau of Liangjiang New Area said, in 2018, the area will continue to heighten the sense of duty of its staff members, improve the review procedure of medical assistance and provide preferential medical policies and other relief measures, making sure that people live a comfortable life.