China has decided to allot 3.5 billion yuan (some US$421.7 million) to establish a nationwide public health network this year in an effort to deal with public health emergencies.

Vice-Premier Wu Yi made the remarks in Beijing Friday while delivering a work report on the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic to the nation's top legislature Friday afternoon on behalf of the State Council, or the Chinese central government.

The State Council has decided to input 2.1 billion yuan (around US$253 million) to set up a disease prevention and control network in support of mid-western China following last year's investment of 800 million yuan (US$96 million), she said.

Localities in eastern China are required to build the relevant institutions with their own funding, Wu said.

In addition, she noted, China will earmark 600 million yuan (US$72 million) as a special fund for the first-phase construction project of the Chinese Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

Moreover, China would set up a national public health command mechanism and strengthen its disease surveillance, information and lab diagnosis networks in order to improve its capability to handle disease outbreaks.

In view of the current SARS epidemic, China has set aside two billion yuan (US$240 million) to provide emergency medical services for needy SARS victims in rural and urban areas, and for the western and central provinces' purchase and reconstruction of medical facilities.

In the meantime, the State Council is also requiring local governments to arrange special funds for SARS medical control and treatment. The central government will also put aside 20 million yuan (US$2.4 million) for conducting joint scientific research projects on SARS disease.

(Xinhua News Agency April 25, 2003)