Editorial‘Weak links’ in China virus fight need fix
- White paper makes it clear that urgent improvements must be made to the country’s infectious disease reporting and early warning systems
China is the first country to produce a white paper on the coronavirus pandemic. It will not be the last to face some soul-searching on its response to the outbreak and scrutiny of lessons learned.
Premier Li Keqiang set the stage for the release of the 37,000-word paper in his recent work report to the National People’s Congress, with a rare admission that “many weak links” had been exposed in public health emergency management. People had recommendations that “deserve our attention”.
He pledged in particular to improve infectious disease reporting and early warning systems, following domestic and international criticism of China’s handling of the early stages of the epidemic.
In a subsequent press briefing on the paper, National Health Commission director Ma Xiaowei identified room for improvement in the public health system in the light of a performance that was, nonetheless, “generally effective”. It included the need for a better epidemic monitoring and warning system.
He said China would improve the emergency plan and build classified health teams to detect, report, warn and respond to major public health events.