The National Medical Products Administration said on Thursday it has granted emergency authorization to the third homegrown extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine.

The machine was developed by STMED Technology, a pharmaceutical company in Jiangsu province.

The administration said the quality of three domestically-developed ECMO machines is on par with similar foreign products.

"The issue of market approval for these homegrown products has increased the accessibility of advanced life support machines in China and ensured supplies of equipment to treat severe COVID-19 cases," the administration said.

It added treatment demands have been met and medical expenditures have been reduced as a result.