--- SEARCH ---
WEATHER
CHINA
INTERNATIONAL
BUSINESS
CULTURE
GOVERNMENT
SCI-TECH
ENVIRONMENT
LIFE
PEOPLE
TRAVEL
WEEKLY REVIEW
Learning Chinese
Learn to Cook Chinese Dishes
Exchange Rates


Hot Links
China Development Gateway
Chinese Embassies

China Improves Legal System to Cope with Public Health Emergencies
China is working hard to use the power of law to deal with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

The State Council announced new guidelines on emergency public health situations Monday, considered a critical step to improve the country's legal system to deal with public health emergencies.

In line with the Law to Prevent and Control Infectious Diseases that took effect in 1989, the country has informed the public of the SARS situation every day, quarantined SARS-hit areas and people, punished activities violating the law and dismissed derelict government officials.

"The new government regulations will overcome the weaknesses of the public health system to fight against SARS by making full use of the law," said Mo Jihong, an expert with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

China has previously developed laws to deal with emergencies like earthquakes and floods, but the country's public health system was not well prepared for the SARS epidemic.

The new rules clearly define the duty of relevant administrations and introduce some practical measures that have been taken against SARS, Mo said.

The new regulations elaborate on and further specialize the items on public health emergencies of the Law to Prevent and Control Infectious Diseases, said Wang Yue, an expert with Beijing University.

The rules will fill a gap in the country's legal system, Wang added.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2003)

Regulations on Public Health Emergencies Issued
Experts Urge to Improve Public Health System
SARS -- An Opportunity China Reshuffles Public Health
Measures Taken to Protect Public Health
Public Health a Legislative Priority for China
Public Health Emergency Systems Set up
SARS
Print This Page
|
Email This Page
About Us SiteMap Feedback
Copyright © China Internet Information Center. All Rights Reserved
E-mail: webmaster@china.org.cn Tel: 86-10-68326688