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| China squares up to fight killer bug |
| CCTV.COM 2003-04-23 09:04:10 |
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With the bleak SARS situation in many parts of China, fighting the disease has now become the number one priority for governments at all levels. The central government has announced six measures in fighting the disease, including canceling the week－long holiday in May and strengthening monitoring efforts in densely populated areas.
From top Chinese leadership to grassroots officials, tackling SARS is now an urgent task. The recent sacking of the Minister of Health Zhang Wenkang and Beijing Mayor Meng Xuenong sends a strong signal that the fight against SARS must not be compromised.
Officials around the nation have been mobilized to take the challenge. Shanxi province is among the worst hit areas, with a total of 141 being affected by Tuesday. Its governor says the province is taking all－out measures to contain the deadly epidemic.
Liu Zhenhua, governor of Shanxi Province, said, "The number of identified SARS patients grows by 10 per day on average. We now update the data every day. Faced with the situation, we have stepped up reporting measures and research efforts. We also have strengthened early prevention and treatment measures."
For some Chinese cities, taking speedy preventative measures has proven effective. In Shanghai, China's economic hub, the cases have so far been confined to two, the lowest among the major cities.
Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng said, "It is not that we are lucky. It's because we have taken decisive measures quickly after the outbreak of the disease. So far we have formed medical team of more than 20 scientists. And 110 monitoring centers have been set around the city and are operating around the clock."
For many local governments it could be a difficult choice between taking drastic measures to curb the disease and at the same time achieving economic development. Yet the mayor for Shanghai says the government won't risk the lives of its people, "When measures in fighting the disease runs counter to achieving economic development goals, we will surely choose the health of the people as the first priority."
Six major measures have been taken by the central government and now are being implemented nationally:
1. Shortened week－long holiday
2. Preventative measures strengthened
3. Monitoring in built－up areas intensified
4. Medical research to be accelerated
5. Financial aid increased
6. Cooperation with WHO to be continued
Among them, the week－long May Day Holiday will be shortened and preventative measures be strengthened and the central government is sending inspection teams to the hardest hit provinces.
Faced with the sudden epidemic, the government's crisis management capabilities are facing an unprecedented challenge. So far, administrations at all levels have demonstrated their will to pull through. But ultimately, many say winning the war against SARS will also rely on breakthroughs in medical research.
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Editor: Yang Feiyang CCTV.com
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