Ma Xiaowei, minister of China's National Health Commission (NHC), participates in the sixth meeting of health ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries via video link on May 12, 2023. [Photo/nhc.gov.cn]

The sixth meeting of health ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries was held both online and offline on May 12. The health minister of India, which holds the rotating presidency of the SCO, chaired the meeting. Ministers of health of SCO member countries, the SCO secretariat and representatives of the World Health Organization attended the meeting.

Ma Xiaowei, minister of China's National Health Commission (NHC), delivered a video speech at the meeting. He spoke positively of the practical health cooperation among SCO member countries and briefed participants on the development of China’s health undertakings and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. China achieved a smooth transition of measures in COVID-19 prevention and control in a relatively short period of time, with the mortality rate of COVID-19 kept at the lowest level in the world, and has secured decisive victory in the fight against the virus, he noted.

He also stressed that China calls on all SCO member countries to strengthen policy dialogue to promote cooperation in various key areas, facilitate resource integration to expand inter-agency practical collaboration, adhere to multilateralism and jointly participate in global health governance to make greater contributions to building an SCO health community for all.

Participants exchanged views on issues including health emergency response, digital medical services, non-communicable disease response, and medical tourism. Minutes were adopted at the meeting.

Officials from related departments of the NHC, the National Administration of Disease Prevention and Control of China and the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine attended the event.