NHFPC'S Press Conference on May 29

(en.nhfpc.gov.cn)

Updated: 2014-07-21

Owing to these programs, the birth defect rate started to fall as of 2012, which we mentioned earlier. That means newborns with birth defects decreased by at least 160,000 in the last two years. The number of neural tube defects, among others, fell sharply from a ranking of the fourth highest to the ninth in terms of occurrence rate.

Reducing birth defects is a worldwide challenge. As much as we have accomplished, the road ahead remains bumpy. It is a tough job, but we will continue our efforts to finally conquer it. And we hope parents planning to have a child will obtain more healthcare knowledge, and get regular examinations before and after pregnancy.

Q: China, together with other countries, got the resolution of 2014-2023 Traditional Medicine Strategy passed during the 67th session of the World Health Assembly. Please brief us on details of the resolution.

A: The resolution was brought up by China in January during an executive meeting of the World Health Organization, with joint signatures from countries including Malaysia and Korea. It was passed on May 24 during the 67th session of the World Health Assembly, with the support of 31 countries. This was the second time that WHO approved a resolution on traditional medicine. Last time was at the 62nd session held in 2009.

The resolution urges member states to adjust and then carry out a strategy based on existing national conditions, and to include traditional medicine in their national health services systems. WHO has to back all member states in making policies, standards, laws and regulations in this field. Meanwhile, it mapped out a 10-year strategy with three targets: a) establish an information database to underpin national policies on the development of traditional medicines; b) tighten supervision on the quality, safety, effectiveness, and utilization of products and services; c) extend coverage of traditional medicine services.

The fact that the resolution got passed reflects an agreed upon importance of traditional medicine among the international community. China as the initiator has to conjure up a national strategy on how to develop traditional Chinese medicine in the future. We need to revise related laws and regulations, push forward the legislative process of the Chinese Medicine Law, and let traditional Chinese medicine play a bigger role in the country’s medical reforms. Also, international communication and cooperation are important for traditional Chinese medicine to go global.

Newborn health was also highlighted during this year’s session. And a draft action plan on that was passed unanimously, which is in line with our work on women and children’s health in China.

Q: Newborn babies have to be widely vaccinated, which makes the quality of vaccines a big public concern. What does the Commission do to ensure its safety?

A: It’s a worldwide consensus to protect newborns’ health by vaccinating them. China has made tremendous advances in improving the health of infants since the country started the vaccination policy. That’s why China is willing to invest big in children’s immunization every year. There have been some abnormal reactions in children who got vaccinated due to their individual health conditions, which is not exactly a “quality problem” as many people said. There hasn’t been any abnormal reaction in China that was caused simply by the quality of vaccines.

Some children are just more sensitive to vaccines, which may result in abnormal reactions. That’s reasonable. Statistics in China have been in line with the standard set by WHO. But China will provide timely medical treatment and offer compensations to those children in case of any abnormal reactions.

We have to be aware that vaccines are very important to children’s health. Late last year, cases initially considered related to hepatitis B vaccines triggered nationwide concerns, leading to a sharp drop in the vaccination rate in China. We are very worried about the potential risks because less vaccination means bigger possibility of disease transmission.

Here I have to make it loud and clear that vaccines on the current market are safe. Just so you know, all medical institutions are required to strictly follow laws and regulations to purchase, store, and use vaccines that have been through strict examinations. We also have regulations on the follow-up work after vaccination, especially when abnormal reactions occur.