More than 26 million Chinese suffer depression, but only 10
percent of them go to doctors, according to a medical expert in
Beijing.
Some 10 to 15 percent of those with the depression problem in
the country are likely to commit suicide, but only less than 10
percent of them are taking medicines or receiving medical
treatment, said Zhou Dongfeng, an expert with the Chinese Medical
Association, at the Asian Neuro-science Summit held in Beijing on
Saturday.
Moreover, less than 20 percent of hospitals in the Chinese
cities are capable of making correct diagnoses on depressive
symptoms, he said.
"Many people regard depression as a secret problem and therefore
avoid taking medicines," said Zhou. "But in fact, it is important
for the patients to have a correct view on medical treatment to
have their disease cured."
He called on the public to take a correct attitude toward
depression, and urged those suffering from the disease to go to
doctors more often.
According to World Health Organization statistics, depression
has become the No.4 major disease in the world, and is expected to
become the second biggest threat to human health by the year 2020,
only after heart diseases.
(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2005)