BEIJING -- China's Health Minister Chen Zhu has called for intensified efforts to investigate and curb commercial bribery in the country's hospitals and medical institutions.

Chen called on the health administrative authorities and officials to step up supervision over medical workers' practices and the operations of both public and private hospitals, a statement published on the website of the Ministry of Health said Friday, quoting Chen's remarks at a national conference for health authorities.

Efforts should be made to effectively prevent and control commercial bribery in the purchase and sale of pharmaceutical products and medical equipments, Chen said.

Moreover, Chen urged further reform and innovation in the revenue and income system for hospitals and their staff, so to solve the root cause of the problem.

He also called on the hospitals and medical workers to improve their service quality.