China News Service:

People are also concerned about major infectious diseases, and I would like to ask about the specific major infectious diseases that currently affect the health of people. What achievements has our country made in containing major infectious diseases? Thank you.

Wang Hesheng:

Thank you for your question. The Party Central Committee and the State Council attach great importance to the prevention and control of major infectious diseases. Currently, the major infectious diseases that impact the health of our people primarily include AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and parasitic diseases.

Currently, China has basically halted the transmission of HIV through blood transfusions and blood products. The transmission of the virus from mother to child and through injection drug use has been effectively controlled. The coverage rate of antiviral therapy has surpassed 90%, and the success rate of treatment has also exceeded 95%. Overall, AIDS in China is at a low prevalence level. The national tuberculosis prevention and control service system has been progressively strengthened, with new diagnostic technologies and tools being gradually promoted and applied nationwide. The incidence rate of tuberculosis has steadily declined, with a mortality rate of 2.1 per 100,000, comparable to that of developed countries. The success rate of patient treatment remains above 90%. Innovations continue in the prevention and control service model for viral hepatitis. Blood safety and infection prevention and control in hospitals have been comprehensively strengthened. A significant decrease has been seen in newly infected individuals and a continuous decline in the total number of infections. The capacity and level of hepatitis treatment have significantly improved. Patients with hepatitis B receiving standardized treatment can be clinically cured, while 95% of hepatitis C patients achieve successful treatment outcomes, further interrupting the transmission of the viruses. Control and elimination goals for some key parasitic diseases have been achieved. Currently, all 452 schistosomiasis-endemic counties in China have met the criteria for transmission interruption, with three-quarters of these counties reaching the elimination criteria. China has achieved its goal of eliminating malaria, receiving certification from the World Health Organization. This marks an important milestone in China's public health history and the global eradication of malaria.

Next, we will uphold the principle of prioritizing prevention, while integrating prevention and treatment. We will persistently enhance the prevention and control working mechanism led by the Party and the government and featuring coordination across various departments, mobilization of all sectors of society, and public participation. We will integrate and coordinate treatment and prevention, strengthen the foundation for the prevention of multiple diseases at the community level, and continually enhance the building of the major infectious disease prevention and control system. We will continue to optimize prevention and control strategies, innovate technical means for prevention and control, solidify and amplify the effectiveness of our prevention and control efforts, and further diminish the health threats posed by major infectious diseases. Thank you.