While remarkable success has been achieved in the SARS prevention and control work in China, the task of eliminating SARS is far from fulfilled and much remains to be done to control a resurgence and the spread of the disease, a senior Chinese health official said in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
Gao Qiang, China's executive vice minister of health, made the remarks at the World Health Organization global conference on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) which opened here on Tuesday.
Gao said China will strengthen government responsibilities in public health and control of infectious diseases, increase government inputs, improve the public health emergency alert and response system, the disease control system and the outbreak reporting network, and strengthen the medical treatment system, particularly the rural health care system.
He briefed participants about the SARS situation in China and the measures taken by the Chinese government to control the epidemic.
SARS is a disaster to all mankind and China is the biggest victim of it, he added.
According to the WHO, a cumulative total of 8,460 probable SARS cases have been reported worldwide as of June 16, among which 5,326 case are in the Chinese mainland.
On the experiences China has gained and the lessons it has drawn from the SARS prevention and control work, Gao said the mobilization of the public has played an indispensable role in containing the spread of SARS.
The two-day global conference on SARS is being attended by more than 1,000 scientists, clinicians and specialists.
(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2003)
