SCO Forum on People-to-People Friendship further cement public health security governance
ISLAMABAD – In a bid to help fight covid-19 and other infectious diseases, China has proposed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) countries to further strengthen the governance of public health security and jointly build a global community of health for all.
During a special Online Health Session of the SCO Forum on People-to-People Friendship held in Wuhan, China proposed building an SCO hotline network for the Centers for Disease Control (CDCs) of the SCO and a National Lab for Infectious Disease Detection, Monitoring and Early Warning to regularly carry out training programs for public health professionals, improve response strategies for public health emergencies, and enhance the joint prevention and control capabilities of regional infectious diseases.
“In pursuit of a healthy and safe future for humanity, we will earnestly implement the Statement by the Council of Heads of State of the SCO Member States on Joint Response Efforts Against the Novel Coronavirus Infection and commit ourselves to safeguarding the public health and well-being of the people of the SCO countries. We will support and promote the implementation of the Common Projects of the SCO Public Health Security Technology Network and the Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases,” the proposal made at the Expert Initiative on the China-SCO Health Cooperation Demonstration Area said.
According to the Comprehensive Joint Action Plan of the SCO Member States to Counter the Threats of Epidemics in the Region, China will prevent and control infectious and non-communicable diseases, respond to health emergencies through control measures, and eliminate the impact of Covid-19. We oppose stigmatization of novel corona-virus (Covid-19).
“We propose to strengthen cooperation in the medical and health industries of SCO countries. China is willing to take the lead in promoting the formulation of a list of drugs and medical devices that are produced by various countries and meet the regulatory standards of SCO countries and regions, providing them to people of all countries at the most favorable price possible, and cracking down on the sale of counterfeit drugs,” the statement added.
China also suggested that countries formulate special visa policies based on their medical needs and promote medical tourism. The Chinese Hospital Association (CHA) supports Tajikistan, the current holder of the rotating presidency of the SCO Summit 2021, to hold the SCO Hospital Cooperation Alliance event in order to promote exchanges and training programs between medical experts and enterprises.
In November 2019, China carried out the Lifeline Express International Sight Saving Mission in Uzbekistan. Under the coordination of the Good-neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Committee of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Lifeline Express Hong Kong Foundation, the International Health Exchange and Cooperation Center of the National Health Committee (IHECC), and the Peking University People’s Hospital all participated in this project and will continue their efforts in cooperation with other countries.
“We propose to strengthen the openness and transparency of healthcare-related information-sharing among SCO members, encourage and guide civil societies and social organizations in China and other SCO member countries to participate through forums and meetings, and to establish a multi-subject, multi-level, and multi-form cooperation mechanism led by the government that involves hospitals, medical colleges, research institutions, and healthcare organizations,” the statement added.
The China-SCO Health Cooperation Demonstration Area advocates for and takes the lead in pursuing cooperation in infectious disease control, medical and healthcare system, traditional medicine, and other fields. It will work with partners from all sides to jointly build a community of common health for mankind and protect the lives and health of people across the world.
