A national teleconference on the control of schistosomiasis and
other epidemics was convened Tuesday, at which Vice Premier Li
Lanqing called for better control of the diseases.
Communist Party of China (CPC) committees and governments at all
levels must adopt effective measures to prevent and treat the
epidemics, the vice premier stressed.
Li, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC
Central Committee Political Bureau, highlighted the continuous
efforts made by Party committees and governments in fighting
epidemics over the past decades, which have resulted in remarkable
achievements throughout the country.
During the Ninth Five-Year Plan period (1996-2000), the country
practically eliminated iodine deficiency, brought the plague under
control, and made new progress in dealing with other epidemics, Li
said.
However, he noted, some areas are suffering from serious epidemic
diseases, while others have to work hard to consolidate their
achievements.
Work in this area must be focused on prevention and education, by
introducing healthy ways of production and life, while engineering
and other methods should be adopted, Li said.
In
areas which are mostly populated by ethnic minorities, preventive
efforts should be integrated in local poverty-eradication work, he
said.
(
December 12, 2001)