China plans to improve the country’s public health emergency response by expanding the reporting channels to any unit or individual who discovers a public health emergency, cross-level reporting that bypasses intermediate levels is allowed if necessary.
The Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, will convene its 16th session from June 24 to 27. The second draft to China’s Emergency Response Law to be submitted for review during the session will expand the channels for units and individuals to report public health emergencies. The draft stipulates that any unit or individual, upon discovering a public health emergency or the possibility of one occurring, should immediately report the incident to the local government, the relevant competent authorities, or the disease prevention and control agency, China News Service reported on Tuesday.
The draft also improves the public health emergency reporting system by detailing the reporting procedures for relevant departments, clarifying that a sound public health emergency reporting system shall be established and improved in China.
Upon receiving a relevant report, the health authorities and disease prevention and control departments must immediately report it to the local people’s government at the same level, as well as to the higher-level authorities and relevant departments under the State Council.
The draft specifies that, after a public health emergency occurs, the county-level people’s government where the incident takes place should immediately initiate response efforts and report to the next higher-level people’s government. If necessary, it may report directly to an even higher authority, skipping the usual reporting hierarchy.
The emergency response established by local people’s governments at or above the county level are responsible for organizing, coordinating, and directing relevant departments at the same level of government and lower-level governments in carrying out the response efforts.
The second draft also specifies that the emergency response shall be initiated by decision of the people’s government, which must also promptly declare the termination of the emergency response and cease the implementation of emergency measures taken in accordance with the law, according to China News Service.
Upon discovering false or incomplete information that affects or may affect social stability or disrupt social and economic order, accurate information shall be promptly released to clarify the situation, stipulates the second draft.
During the emergency response to a public health event, local governments at or above the county level shall provide basic medical services, offer special care and arrangements for groups in need of urgent medical treatment and ensure medical care for all relevant personnel.
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