Chinese President Inspects SARS Control Work

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, April 15, 2003

Chinese President Inspects SARS Control Work

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President Hu Inspects SARS Control Work

Chinese President Hu Jintao inspected the Disease Prevention and Control Center in south China's Guangdong Province Monday to obtain further information on the efforts to control severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS.

Accompanied by leading local officials, Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, talked with medical workers who have been engaged in controlling the epidemic there and 23 hospitals in Guangdong.

Hu solicited the views of the medical experts on SARS control, who responded that intensified control efforts, the early identification of the causative agent, the establishment of an effective quick response mechanism and the dissemination of SARS prevention and treatment knowledge are all important in combating the disease.

He said the treatment and control of the disease have a great bearing on social stability and the reform and development of the country. As it's a matter of life and death, it must be dealt with immediately.

Hu said the CPC Central Committee and the State Council have been deeply concerned about the SARS epidemic ever since it broke out in certain parts of Guangdong.

"We are worried about the serious threat to the health and lives of some people, and we rejoice at the recuperation of SARS victims thanks to the meticulous work of medical workers," he said.

He added that, thanks to a series of measures and hard work, Guangdong has brought the disease under effective control.

On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, Hu extended his gratitude and regards to all the people who have made contributions to the control of the disease, including government officials and medical staff.

He said SARS control should be regarded as an important task given that it exerts a strong impact on China's overall process of reform and opening up and on the health and lives of people.

He called for continuous and all-out efforts in the prevention and treatment of the disease.

"We shall employ every means possible to cure SARS patients as soon as possible and to prevent the further spread or resurgence of the epidemic," said Hu.

He urged CPC organizations and governments at all levels to create the necessary conditions for medical workers in their fight against SARS.

China Planning Mechanism for Public Health Emergencies

The State Council Monday endorsed an initiative to establish a national quick response mechanism to deal with public health emergencies.

The immediate establishment of such a mechanism is vital to safeguarding public health and the lives of the people, according to an executive meeting of the State Council held Monday.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao chaired the meeting which heard a report from the Ministry of Health on the setting up of such a mechanism.

According to the meeting, the quick response mechanism will be directed by the central government, with governments at various levels shouldering different responsibilities. The mechanism should have a strong legal framework, a sound monitoring system and adequate basic facilities.

The meeting also outlined urgent tasks for the establishment of the mechanism, such as promulgating relevant laws and regulations, establishing a rapid response command system, improving information network, establishing a national and local disease prevention and treatment network, and strengthening the medical force.

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