China's National Health Commission (NHC) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the prevention and control of tuberculosis.

Aiming to promote new tools, technologies and strategies to counter the epidemic, the deal was made at a seminar in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the cooperation program of the two sides.

According to the memorandum, an innovative tuberculosis control program will be implemented in selected provincial-level regions utilizing new technologies for diagnosis and patient management, with new models for designated hospitals and new financing approaches to minimize healthcare expenses.

The NHC and the foundation will also work together to refine existing policies and approaches concerning the disease while developing new ones in support of the country's national action plan to stop tuberculosis.

Hailing the success the NHC-Gates Foundation program has garnered so far, Ma Xiaowei, head of the commission, said the program is another prime example of how global cooperation can advance healthcare.

Also at the seminar, Bill Gates said he is very glad that China has committed to eradicating tuberculosis by the end of the next decade, particularly because ending the epidemic in China will also be a major achievement for the world.

Since 2009, the two sides have been working together on designing and implementing a new model that improves the quality of tuberculosis prevention and control in China, especially for multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis.