Ma Xiaowei, minister of China's National Health Commission, addresses the seventh meeting of health ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states via video link on March 14. [Photo/nhc.gov.cn]

The seventh meeting of health ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states was held on March 14 in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan. Ma Xiaowei, minister of China's National Health Commission (NHC), attended and addressed the meeting via video link.

He spoke positively of the sound health cooperation and exchanges among SCO member states under the guidance of the "Shanghai Spirit", noting that SCO member states should practice multilateralism and jointly participate in global health governance, strengthen strategic alignment and promote exchanges and cooperation in health system building, as well as explore the cooperation potential and expand the channels of cooperation and exchange of human resources in the health sector.

China is ready to deepen practical cooperation with other SCO member states and work together to build a global community of health for all, he added.

The participants discussed topics including health emergencies, digital health and telemedicine, the prevention and control of infectious and chronic non-communicable diseases, primary health care and health personnel.

The meeting approved the Action Plan on Developing Cooperation in Healthcare between SCO Member States for 2025-2027 and signed a protocol.

The meeting was chaired by Kazakhstan, the rotating chair of the SCO, and was attended by representatives from the health departments of SCO member states, the SCO Secretariat, and the World Health Organization.