A national teleconference on the control of schistosomiasis and other epidemics was convened Tuesday, at which Vice Premier Li Lanqing called for better control of the diseases.

Communist Party of China (CPC) committees and governments at all levels must adopt effective measures to prevent and treat the epidemics, the vice premier stressed.

Li, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, highlighted the continuous efforts made by Party committees and governments in fighting epidemics over the past decades, which have resulted in remarkable achievements throughout the country.

During the Ninth Five-Year Plan period (1996-2000), the country practically eliminated iodine deficiency, brought the plague under control, and made new progress in dealing with other epidemics, Li said.

However, he noted, some areas are suffering from serious epidemic diseases, while others have to work hard to consolidate their achievements.

Work in this area must be focused on prevention and education, by introducing healthy ways of production and life, while engineering and other methods should be adopted, Li said.

In areas which are mostly populated by ethnic minorities, preventive efforts should be integrated in local poverty-eradication work, he said.

( December 12, 2001)