The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in China today launched a new bilingual (English and Chinese) website to share its work more broadly and strengthen its capacity to help improve the health and well-being of the people of China.
"This new website will communicate our determination to address the needs of China's people and ensure greater health opportunities for all," said Dr Michael O'Leary, WHO Representative in China.
After the outbreak in 2003 of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), China recognized the critical importance of good communications for public health outcomes, helping people to make better decisions, prevent illness, and protect themselves.
"WHO has been working closely with the Government of China to ensure that all Chinese citizens have access to essential health care, especially the most disadvantaged and those living in rural and remote areas. " Dr O'Leary said. "Our new bilingual website highlights our joint efforts to achieve these goals."
This new bilingual website underscores that good and effective communications are key to the fulfillment of WHO's essential public health mission and its ability to reach its key audiences. The website offers valuable information about WHO health policies, norms and standards as well as good health practices. Just as importantly, the website can provide real-time information during public health emergencies.
A Chinese-language website offers the public better access to information — including through reliable translation of critical information, and relationship-building with local partners and stakeholders, which will greatly assist in achieving WHO China's goals. Web-based reporting can also play a helpful role in enhancing surveillance.
"This website creates WHO China's online linkages to both national audiences and international communities. Nowadays, health is a shared responsibility, involving equitable access to essential care, and collective defense against transnational threats." Dr O'Leary stressed.
China has made significant contributions to global health through improving the health outcome of its own population, providing health cooperation to other developing countries, fulfilling international commitments, and engaging in global health technical work and governance. This new website shares WHO China's work and China's health development experience with the world.
For more information, please contact
Helen Yu
Communications Officer, WHO in China
Tel: +86 10 65327191 ext. 81275
E-mail: yuji@wpro.who.int