China: healthcare: Jeremy Hunt visit: April 2014
Published 1 May 2014
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0.1 Summary
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s visit supports UK businesses; gains endorsement from the Premier and Vice Premier on the importance of bilateral healthcare links; and gives momentum to work on dementia and antimicrobial resistance.
0.2 Detail
The Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, visited China 22-24 April to lead the second UK-China High Level People to People Dialogue (P2P). This report outlines the healthcare elements of Mr Hunt’s visit.
In addition to core P2P business, including meetings with Premier Li Keqiang and Vice Premier Liu Yandong, Mr Hunt met Health Minister Li Bin; met British healthcare businesses with Chinese project partners; and visited a leading mental health hospital to learn more about China’s treatment of dementia.
Across the programme, Mr Hunt emphasised the UK’s deep commitment to partner China as it reforms its health system; the importance of continuing to collaborate on 21st century global health challenges such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and dementia; and his willingness to support UK healthcare companies in China. Ministerial meetings.
Premier Li Keqiang said that he saw health and education as the two wings for promoting human development. The UK’s healthcare system had its own distinctive advantages and was held in high regard in China; he saw the possibility of sharing experience in this field. Minister Li Bin said that she was impressed by the momentum in UK China healthcare relations since the Summit under Mr Hunt’s leadership: a number of Ministerial meetings plus conferences on dementia and AMR. Li Bin agreed that we should continue to work together on dementia and AMR although China was focused on building a basic healthcare system.
0.3 Supporting British businesses
Mr Hunt led five meetings with UK healthcare companies and their Chinese partners to demonstrate HMG’s commitment to this sector. Comments from Chinese partners showed their high esteem for the NHS and their view that the UK was a willing and active partner on healthcare. Mr Hunt also gave opening remarks at a round-table discussion on digital health which brought together Chinese policy makers with leading UK digital health providers such as BT.
0.4 Dementia treatment in China
On a visit to Peking University’s Number 6 hospital, Mr Hunt saw how Chinese patients were diagnosed with dementia and treated. He heard how China’s mental health system suffered from lack of resources with only 20,000 trained psychiatrists (compared to 9,000 in England).
0.5 Comment
This is the first time that healthcare has been included as part of the P2P – a recognition on both sides of the importance of this topic domestically and to our bilateral relationship. Endorsement from the Premier and Vice Premier to work together on health provides momentum to the expanding portfolio of commercial healthcare deals.
We will now work closely with Healthcare UK in developing a consortia of UK companies to work with Chinese project owners.
0.6 Disclaimer
The purpose of the FCO Country Update(s) for Business (”the Report”) prepared by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is to provide information and related comment to help recipients form their own judgments about making business decisions as to whether to invest or operate in a particular country. The Report’s contents were believed (at the time that the Report was prepared) to be reliable, but no representations or warranties, express or implied, are made or given by UKTI or its parent Departments (the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)) as to the accuracy of the Report, its completeness or its suitability for any purpose. In particular, none of the Report’s contents should be construed as advice or solicitation to purchase or sell securities, commodities or any other form of financial instrument. No liability is accepted by UKTI, the FCO or BIS for any loss or damage (whether consequential or otherwise) which may arise out of or in connection with the Report.