China publishes white paper on fight against COVID-19 (full text)
China on Sunday issued a white paper on the country's battle against COVID-19.
The white paper, titled "Fighting COVID-19: China in Action," was issued by the State Council Information Office.
Besides the foreword and afterword, the white paper consists of four parts: "China's Fight against the Epidemic: A Test of Fire," "Well-Coordinated Prevention, Control and Treatment," "Assembling a Powerful Force to Beat the Virus," and "Building a Global Community of Health for All."
Here are the highlights:
Over 94% of COVID-19 patients successfully treated
As of the end of May, a cumulative total of 83,017 confirmed cases had been reported on the Chinese mainland, 78,307 infected had been cured and discharged from hospital, and 4,634 people had died. This demonstrates a cure rate of 94.3 percent.
Temporary treatment centers a major innovative solution
The city of Wuhan re-purposed stadiums and exhibition centers into 16 temporary treatment centers, or Fangcang shelter hospitals, providing some 14,000 beds and making it possible to admit all confirmed mild cases for treatment.
This helped reduce infections and virus transmission in communities and prevent mild cases from worsening.
TCM used in treating 92% COVID-19 cases
Traditional Chinese medicine has been used in treating 92 percent of all confirmed COVID-19 cases across China.
A set of TCM diagnosis and treatment protocols were developed to cover the entire process of medical observation, treatment of mild, moderate, severe and critical cases, and recovery, and they have been applied nationwide.
In Hubei, a province once hardest hit by COVID-19, more than 90 percent of confirmed cases received TCM treatment that proved effective.
China gives COVID-19 patients free treatment
All COVID-19 patients, confirmed or suspected, received subsidies from state finance for any medical bills not covered by basic medical insurance, serious disease insurance, or the medical assistance fund.
As of May 31, the medical bills of 58,000 inpatients with confirmed infections had been settled by basic medical insurance, with a total expenditure of 1.35 billion yuan (about $190 million), or 23,000 yuan per person.
The average cost for treating COVID-19 patients in severe condition surpassed 150,000 yuan, and in some critical cases the individual cost exceeded 1 million yuan, all covered by the state.
Over 3,000 COVID-19 patients aged above 80 cured in Hubei
More than 3,000 COVID-19 patients over the age of 80, including seven centenarians, have been cured in Hubei, the Chinese province once hardest hit by COVID-19.
Many of these cured senior patients were brought back to life from the verge of death. For example, a 70-year-old patient was saved thanks to intensive treatment and care by more than 10 medical workers over a period of several weeks. The cost of his treatment, nearly 1.5 million yuan (around $211,372), was fully covered by the government.
Tailored treatment was given to elderly patients with underlying medical conditions, said the white paper, adding that as long as there was the slightest hope, doctors would never give up, and the need for personnel, medicines, equipment or funds was met.
Millions of Chinese medical workers battle COVID-19 at front line
Showing professional devotion and a deep respect for life, the medical workers risked their own lives, racing against time and working around the clock to try to save every patient.
China establishes strict, efficient COVID-19 information release system
China has established a strict, professional and efficient system of COVID-19 information release amid its all-out effort to contain the epidemic.
China has released authoritative and detailed information as early as possible on a regular basis, thus effectively responding to public concern and building public consensus.
Strict regulations are in place to see there is no withholding of information, underreporting, or delay in reporting cases of infection.
Science, technology underpin China's COVID-19 fight
China has exploited the pioneering role of science and technology and fully applied the results of scientific and technical innovation in its fight against COVID-19.
The close coordination between scientific research, clinical application, and frontline virus control, and between enterprises, universities and research institutes has given powerful support for the war against the virus.
China initiated 83 emergency research and development programs in such areas as clinical treatment, new medicines and vaccines, testing techniques and products and epidemiology and pooled top research resources around the nation in the programs.
Scientific research and development has been integrated with clinical treatment and epidemic control, highlighting the use of new technologies including big data and artificial intelligence.
China offers help to 150 countries, 4 int'l organizations to fight COVID-19
China had sent 29 medical expert teams to 27 countries and offered assistance to 150 countries and four international organizations as of May 31.
China has provided two batches of cash support totaling $50 million to the World Health Organization (WHO).
It also assisted the WHO in purchasing personal protective equipment and establishing reserve centers of supplies in China, and helped its COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund to raise funds in the country.
Local governments, enterprises, non-governmental organizations and individuals in China have donated materials to more than 150 countries and regions, and international organizations through various channels.
