OPINION> EDITORIALS
Ward off double whammy
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-04-29 07:44

With little definite knowledge of the swine flu, a downward revision of the global growth forecast looks premature at present.

While trying to arrive at a mid-point between concern and reassurance, however, global policymakers need to prepare as early as possible for a worse-than-expected public health emergency that can further deepen the prevalent economic recession.

The looming threat of the swine flu, which has killed more than 100 people in Mexico, has led the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise its alert level from 3 to 4. This is the first time risk has risen above level 3 on the WHO's six-step alert scale since it was adopted, and this underscores the urgency of preparing for a pandemic.

Though no swine flu case has so far been reported in China, policymakers must know from past experience that transmission of influenza or the spread of new influenza disease cannot be stopped by closing borders.

Intensified surveillance and self-protection could enable the country to respond swiftly to an outbreak of swine flu. Yet policymakers still need to be in a state of high alert and preparedness for a possible outbreak.

At a time when the Chinese economy is just beginning to shake off the impact of the global financial crisis, a growth-hurting pandemic is certainly the last thing that policymakers want to see.

Ward off double whammy

As of now, the swine flu does not pose a grave new threat to the Chinese economy, which is showing tentative early signs of a recovery.

Since the outbreak of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) in 2003, China has learned a lot, gained practical experience and enhanced its capability to deal with a public health emergency. For instance, with thermal scanners already in public places to check for signs of fever, the country is obviously taking no chances in the fight against another pandemic.

Of course, the current threat has highlighted the necessity for China to hasten its healthcare reform, which is yet to be implemented. Meanwhile, those who worry about the flu's impact on China's economic recovery should take a look at the post-SARS performance of the Chinese economy. Five years of double-digit growth since 2003 has fully demonstrated the effectiveness of China's policy responses as well as the resilience of its economy.

Admittedly, the double whammy of a global recession and a pandemic will make it harder this time for the country to revive sound growth at a healthy pace. Nevertheless, the greater challenge can also propel Chinese policymakers to come up with more and better stimulus measures for pursuing sustainable growth.

It appears that the case for a better public health system has become even more urgent and persuasive.

(China Daily 04/29/2009 page8)