The 2015 Report of Disease Prevention and Control Progress in China

Source: en.nhfpc.gov.cn

Updated: 2015-06-03

Promotion of Latrine Construction in Rural Areas

Since the foundation of New China, the CPC and Chinese government have been dedicated to resolving latrine construction issues in rural areas. In 2004, the central government approved a special fund to support the latrine reconstruction in countryside, especially in the less developed Midwest and schistosomiasis epidemic areas. In 2009, this became a component of the Major Public Health Program to Deepen Medical Reform. During 2004 to 2013, with the total input from central government of 8.27 billion yuan and enhanced financial support from local governments, the coverage rate of sanitary latrines in rural areas across the country had drastically increased from 7.5% in 1993 to 76.1% in 2014. With unremitting efforts for many years, health benefit, environmental benefit, economical benefit and social benefit of latrine reconstruction in rural areas appear gradually. The sanitary conditions in China, especially in the rural areas in the Midwest, have been remarkably improved and this has gained universal praise among the public. As shown in the assessment on the latrine reconstruction within Medical Reform from 2009 to 2011, the incidence of diseases transmitted via fecal-oral route had dropped from 37.5 per 100 thousand to 22.2 per 100 thousand, and the number of cases of malaria, typhia and hepatitis A decreased 35%, 25% and 37% respectively.

Building of Hygienic Cities (Towns) and Healthy Cities

In 1989, the National Patriotic Health Campaign Committee commenced the Hygienic Cities (Towns) project, aiming to strengthen the environmental hygienic infrastructure and solve sanitation issues in old towns, urban villages, rural-urban continuum, small lanes, agricultural products markets and catering industry, which are closely related to people’s daily lives. By March of 2015, the National Patriotic Health Committee has designated 216 National Hygienic Cities, 42 National Hygienic Districts and 679 National Hygienic Counties(Towns), forging a group of neat, ordered and livable modern cities. In accordance to the Healthy City program initiated by WHO, China has explored a healthy city construction model with Chinese characteristics. Since 2007, China has piloted several Healthy City programs, and hosted a series of activities including the International Healthy City Mayors’ Forum. In 2013, China was presented the Health City Special Award by WHO, as a symbol of affirmation and appreciation of achievements made.

Prevention and Control of Vectors

Since 2009, national regulation on vectors prevention and control and related standards have been promulgated in succession, to further normalize the prevention and control of vectors. By intensive vector monitoring, Integrated Vector Management, and seasonal Four Major Pest Control campaigns, the occurrence and prevalence of vector borne diseases such as epidemic hemorrhagic fever, malaria and Dengue fever have been prevented and reduced.

Conclusion

With persistent endeavor through many years, China has accomplished remarkable achievements in disease prevention and control, yet is still facing multiple challenges and obstacles. The burden of diseases is still heavy, and the epidemic trend of major diseases has not been reversed totally. The disease prevention and control system is still laggard, the service network imperfect and the overall quality of personnel are still in need of improvement. A sustainable investment guarantee mechanism for disease prevention and control is not yet ready, and the operating paradigm for coordination of administrative departments, cooperation of medical and preventive systems, and social mobilization are still underway.

In the near future, China will insist on the general principle of “Prevention in the first place and in combination with treatment”, further carry forward the reform of the pharmaceutical and healthcare systems, and promote the integration of health idea into all policies. The China CDC will also enhance the construction of disease prevention and control system, develop innovative work mechanism, put all the prevention and control measures into practice, increasingly open up new prospects in disease prevention and control, and contribute more to better health of the people and building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.