16 November 2005
The Minister of Health of South Africa, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang met with the Minister of Health of the People's Republic of China, Mr Gao Qiang in Beijing yesterday, China today to discuss various health issues of mutual interest.
Minister Tshabalala-Msimang and the Department of Health delegation are on a three-day official visit to the People's Republic of China (November 14-16). They are visiting various health institutions and are discussing areas of cooperation between the two countries including the management of infectious and chronic diseases, regulation of medicines and development of traditional medicines.
The two countries will work together to finalise an agreement that should guide cooperation between the two countries and the agreement will be signed by the two Health Ministers in due course.
The two countries will align protocols for prevention and management of infectious diseases such as avian flu, SARS and foot and mouth disease. The two Health Ministers agreed to work together to respond to the threat of global epidemic caused by avian flu which is currently prevalent in East Asia.
Minister Tshabalala-Msimang said China and South Africa hold strategic positions in their respective regions (Asia and Africa) and have to work together to contribute to the strengthening of the global response to emerging diseases.
"The issue of aligning our protocols for the management of various infectious diseases is critical for both countries. As partners, we have to work together to prevent the spread of diseases such as bird or avian flu and foot and mouth disease which are a threat to the whole world," said Minister Tshabalala-Msimang.
Both countries committed themselves to work together to ensure the implementation of international health regulations that should assist particularly developing countries to respond according to the threat of emerging infectious diseases.
The two countries will also work together in dealing with the high burden of chronic diseases of lifestyle including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Critical to this response is promotion of healthy lifestyles including good nutrition, physical activity tobacco control and reducing levels of alcohol and substance abuse.
Minister Tshabalala-Msimang visited the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and a traditional medicine hospital in Beijing to witness the progress that China has made in developing its traditional medicine practice as a critical element of health care delivery system. Traditional medicine is reported to have played an important role in China's ability to respond to SARS outbreak in 2003.
"South Africa is still addressing issues relating to the development of traditional medicine as a product, coordinating research in this field of practice and regulating the practice of various traditional health practitioners. The sharing of experiences with China will be valuable in advancing this process," said Minister Tshabalala-Msimang.
The delegation today visited the local general health hospital and held discussions with the medicine regulatory authority of China, the State Food and Drug Administration before returning to South Africa.
Issued by Ministry of Health (Sibani Mngadi @ 0827720161)