Gyeonggi Province welcomes health and medicine delegation from China on
April 5; significant improvements in infectious disease responses expected via Korea-China
cooperation

◇ At the welcoming ceremony for
the health and medicine delegation from Guangdong Province and Huizhou City in
China on April 5, Gyeonggi Province Social Integration Vice Governor Lee Ki-woo
said, “If Korea and China cooperate with one another,
we anticipate significant improvements in infectious disease responses.”
ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Ko Jeong-hyeon

A delegation of nine officials
from Guangdong Province and Huizhou City in China visited Gyeonggi Province to
discuss cooperation in responding to new infectious diseases such as MERS. 

On the afternoon of April 5,
Gyeonggi Province held a welcoming ceremony for the health and medicine
delegation from Guangdong Province and Huizhou City in China, and discussed
means to strengthen cooperation between the two regions in response to infectious
diseases.  

The Chinese delegation, led by
Guangdong Province Health and Sanitation Committee Vice Chair Jin Zhousheng,
included public officials working for the Guangdong Province disease prevention
center, MERS prevention task force team, and the health and sanitation
department of Huizhou City. The delegates also included members of the medical
staff of the People’s Hospital of Huizhou City who treated Korean MERS patients in
Guangdong Province last May.  

The delegation was invited by
Gyeonggi Province to take part in a four-day schedule starting on April 5. 

Last year, a delegation from
Gyeonggi Province led by Social Integration Vice Governor Lee Ki-woo visited
Guangdong Province and Huizhou City to discuss cooperation in responding to
infectious diseases in both countries.  

At the welcoming ceremony,
Social Integration Vice Governor Lee Ki-woo received said, “Last year,
we visited Guangdong Province and Huizhou City and held close discussions on
MERS. It’s a pleasure to see everyone again.”

Vice
Governor Lee also said, “The reason why we were able to overcome
MERS despite having patient zero was our cooperative governance system.”
He continued, “Recently, there seem to
be no borders to contagious diseases given the outbreak of the Zika virus. If
Korea and China cooperate, I believe we’ll be able to
achieve more growth in terms of our responses to infectious diseases.” 

◇ During the meeting, Gyeonggi
Province Infectious Disease Management Team Leader Lee Hee-young said delivered
a briefing to the delegation on the current state of and responses to new
infectious diseases entering Korea. From the Chinese delegation, a
representative of the People’s Hospital of Huizhou gave
a presentation on infectious disease management systems in China and how China has
treated and responded to MERS patients. ⓒ Gyeonggi
G-News

◇ Guangdong Province Health and
Sanitation Committee Vice Chair Jin Zhousheng, who led the Chinese delegation, said,
“We thank Gyeonggi Province for inviting us. I suggest
we strengthen our cooperation regarding new infectious diseases including Zika
virus.” ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Ko Jeong-hyeon

Vice Chair Jin offered his perspective,
saying, “The fact that Gyeonggi Province established a governance system led
by a joint medical committee when the MERS outbreak occurred, creating a strong
and professional administrative body, was the reason why it could prevent
secondary epidemics. It was able to prepare a stable treatment environment by
operating a select number of treatment centers.” 

Vice Chair Jin added, “Gyeonggi
Province’s psychological support program, people who
voluntarily quarantined themselves, and medical staff overcoming their trauma
after MERS is very impressive.” He continued, “We thank Gyeonggi Province for inviting us. I suggest we strengthen
our cooperation regarding new infectious diseases including Zika virus.” 

During the meeting, Gyeonggi
Province Center for Disease Control and Prevention Head Lee Hee-young delivered
a briefing to the delegation on the current state of and responses to new
infectious diseases entering Korea. From the Chinese delegation, a
representative of the People’s Hospital of Huizhou gave a
presentation on the infectious disease management systems in China and how
China has treated and responded to MERS patients.

The Chinese delegation will
visit Myongji Hospital and the Trauma Center at Ajou University Hospital, which
features government designated quarantine hospital beds, to inspect infectious
disease treatment facilities. 

◇ The Chinese delegation was
invited by Gyeonggi Province for a four-day visit to Gyeonggi Province. Pictured:
Commemorative photo of the delegation’s visit ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Ko Jeong-hyeon

ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News | Lee Jun-kyun eyekle@hanmail.net

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201604051757337055C048&s_code=C048