Chinese Premier urges improved capability in epidemic control

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has called for enhanced efforts to improve the prevention and control of major epidemics and infectious diseases in key regions and groups.

In a written instruction to a meeting on infectious disease prevention on Friday, Li said related agencies should "improve the system for joint prevention and control, innovate working methods, increase input, shore up weak links and offer better basic public health services."

Vice Premier Liu Yandong said at the meeting that the public health policy of putting prevention first, focusing on the rural areas and laying equal stress on traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine should be followed.

While calling for deepened reform on the medical sector and more equitable public health service, Liu ordered improvement of monitoring, early warning and emergency treatment of infectious disease.

"The patient's burden should be alleviated," Liu said, adding the country's varied medical insurance packages and government subsidies could also help. Endi