China recently issued a blueprint on health care reform for the next decade, starting a long-awaited reform to ensure fair and affordable health services for all citizens.

An article on the website of Guangzhou-based Nanfang Daily says disease prevention is more important than treatment when it comes to revamping the new health care scheme.

The writer says one key problem of the new health care scheme that has been ignored is how to improve the general health of the people.

The writer says attention should not only be focused on the treatment of diseases but also on the latent health risks affecting 80 percent of the population.

The article says in the past decade the number of people suffering chronic diseases in China has increased by 10 million year on year.

The writer warns that serious consequences could arise if the government doesn't make efforts to check the increase of chronic disease patients and improve the health of the people.

The article concludes by calling on the government to embrace broader health management program.