The State Council, China's top governing body, has 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.
(People's Daily April 15, 2003)
