Vice-Premier Sun Chunlan has called for the launch of a three-year nationwide campaign to improve prevention and cure of endemic diseases.

Sun, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a two-day inspection in Northwest China’s Shaanxi province which ended on Aug 31.

During the inspection tour, Sun also chaired a national conference on the prevention and cure of endemic diseases.

Endemic diseases are major public health issues, Sun said, noting that both prevention and cure should be given equal emphasis.

Sun also noted that measures should be adjusted based on different local conditions.

Sun stressed providing safe drinking water and energy access for those suffering from endemic fluorosis or arsenic poisoning caused by drinking water or coal burning.

She also required more efforts to help endemic disease sufferers and better control of infection sources of infectious diseases.