Efforts required to keep SARS out
( 2003-11-04 00:08) (China Daily)
China is capable of preventing and controlling a
resurgence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), vice-premier and health
minister Wu Yi told a national conference Monday.
So far China has not found any new SARS cases and preventive efforts have
been made across the country, according to Wu, who heads the National
Headquarters on SARS Control.
She called for close monitoring, further research and improvements to the
government crisis-control mechanism in order to avoid a resurgence of the fatal
disease.
The central government has sent 16 teams to inspect the preventative work by
local governments in 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.
Local governments have made substantial efforts to prevent the disease, Wu
said.
The official urged local governments and health departments to maintain high
alert to prevent any recurrence of the disease, and said any SARS case or
suspected case should be directly reported to the ministry immediately.
Supervision and preventative measures in SARS designated hospitals and fever
clinics of ordinary hospitals should be maintained, said Wu. As well, medical
equipment and technical facilities in rural hospitals need to be upgraded and
medical staff must receive better training in SARS prevention.
She also urged speeding up the establishment of a nationwide disease
prevention and reporting information system.
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