The combat against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has sparked discussion among the Chinese public concerning the emergency preparedness and management. In an interview with a Chinese scientific media outlet, DeepTech, Professor Zhuo Chen, a Health Economics Professor of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, made specific recommendations for tackling the challenges presently faced by China’s public health system.
A veteran of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Prof. Chen has experience and knowledge of the public health sectors of both countries. He believes that public health departments in China should play a more critical role in emergency planning and response.
“Health professionals are often more sensitive to new health information and the potential dangers indicated,” he said. “To leverage the expertise and keep risk communication consistent during a public health crisis, health departments should be empowered to alert the potential threat and to disclose more information to the public. In China’s case, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) ought to have the legal authority to do that.
“With that being said, we must also be wary that information on epidemics could involve technical terms, which if not properly interpreted, can cause confusion and sometimes panic. Should we entrust China CDC with declaring public health emergencies, their capacity in risk communication could also be strengthened.”
Prof. Chen also points out the importance of having emergency contingency plans and strategic stockpiles to cope with unexpected events. “Without that, many containment measures that would have been effective could be introduced too late.” He believes that contingency plans should be made in further detail to take into account regional differences.
Speaking of the decision to put the city of Wuhan under lockdown, Prof. Chen believes it could lead to a relatively safer environment for the rest of China’s 1.4 billion population. However, due to the complexity of such a decision, it could potentially put people’s livelihoods and the economy in a vulnerable situation.
“To minimize the adverse effect of putting a whole city on lockdown, we need simulations in advance,” said Prof. Chen. “Relevant government departments and professionals should be engaged in an iterative evaluation process, in order to optimise the solutions.”
When asked about the tragic death of Dr. Wenliang Li, a ‘whistleblower’ to many Chinese, Prof. Chen suggested legislation to protect those who bring public threats or wrong-doing to light.
“It is worthwhile to consider expanding our current laws into a more complete system that protects whistleblowers from retaliation in any sectors.” Prof. Chen said, “For instance, what the US has done offers important lessons on establishing an inspection unit for each major agency.”
In Prof. Chen’s view, it may be a universal problem that public health has not been prioritised as much as it deserves to be.
“After the 2003 SARS epidemic, China treated disease prevention and control with paramount importance. The nation invested heavily in launching an outbreak reporting system. But as the virus disappeared, voices advocating for public health gradually subsided.” He said, “The US has a similar issue as does the whole world.”
Prof. Zhuo (Adam) Chen is a Li Dak Sum Chair Professor in Health Economics at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, and an Associate Professor of Health Policy and Management at the University of Georgia, US.