China's Ministry of Health publicized a strategy on preventing
and controlling "emerging infectious diseases" on Thursday,
promising to develop a long-term policy against deadly epidemics
like SARS and bird flu.
According to the document, the ministry will develop a network
that is alert and quick to react to the outbreak of infectious
diseases.
The government promised to allocate more resources to training
medical workers, improving hospital facilities and research
institutes and developing a strategic supply of vaccines, medicines
and equipment.
Health administrations were asked to build an efficient
information sharing mechanism with other relative departments so
that information on epidemics at home and abroad could be updated
promptly, the document said.
"The mechanism will connect hospitals, administrations and
experts with the public," the strategy said.
To realize this, the administration will work more on
computerizing information sharing and reporting system.
The government will also work out an investment policy on
emergency supply of vaccines and medicines, said the document.
(Xinhua News Agency July 6, 2007)