Reviving Health Cooperation: A New Era for US-China Relations

In a significant diplomatic development, China and the United States have agreed to revive health cooperation after a seven-year hiatus, marking the first ministerial-level visit since 2017. The discussions, led by Cao Xuetao, deputy head of China's National Health Commission, and Andrea Palm, deputy secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, focused on critical areas such as cancer prevention, chronic disease management, ageing, medical research, and health issues related to climate change. Both nations have recognized the importance of medical exchanges as a means to enhance global well-being [22857233].

This renewed collaboration comes in the wake of previous tensions that arose from the COVID-19 pandemic and its origins, which had strained US-China relations. The discussions also touched on broader issues affecting bilateral relations, including Taiwan and the South China Sea, indicating that health cooperation is part of a larger dialogue between the two countries [22857233].

In parallel, Paraguay has received the final disbursement of $1,992,733 from the Government of China (Taiwan) for the project 'Improvement of the quality of care in establishments of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare'. This funding has allowed for the successful expansion of the Health Information System (HIS) to more services throughout the country, significantly improving patient care processes in healthcare establishments [b8aacd6c].

Taiwan is also working to enhance its immunization policy to address challenges such as incorporating new vaccines into the routine schedule and ensuring sufficient funding for the National Vaccine Fund. The government aims to raise public awareness and foster shared decision-making by providing detailed vaccine information and drawing inspiration from other countries' immunization websites [7dbdeb83].

Meanwhile, the United States has donated four mobile vaccination clinics to the Lao People's Democratic Republic to improve vaccination coverage in remote districts. The clinics, based on Toyota Landcruisers, will be used by district health teams in Bokeo, Luangprabang, Phongsaly, and Huaphanh Provinces to provide access to vaccination and other healthcare services for over 300 remote villages. This donation, worth 2.3 billion Lao Kip (US $113,000), was made through the World Health Organization and will support COVID-19 and routine immunization outreach efforts in hard-to-reach areas [9034114f].

The World Health Organization (WHO) and European Union (EU) have successfully supported Indonesia's emergency COVID-19 response through the 'Southeast Asia Health Pandemic Response and Preparedness' project. The initiative focused on building health system resilience and increasing access to essential health services in Indonesia, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable and marginalized groups [18021a7d].

FHI 360 in Thailand works with the government and community-based organizations to strengthen HIV services for key populations. They have supported laboratories in improving their diagnostic services and gaining accreditation. FHI 360 also established a Product Quality and Compliance laboratory in Bangkok to test medical devices and is involved in combating dangerous language and misinformation online through the Networks for Peace project [de1afeed].

In the mid-1990s, Taiwanese politicians established a national health insurance system that is now admired by many countries. The system is a single-payer, government-subsidized, mandatory program that provides affordable and decent care [2de2278f].

A joint venture is underway between Thailand and the US to boost investments within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and support healthcare services for both ageing and young populations. The Thai Health Promotion Foundation forecasts rapid growth in the medical equipment market due to Thailand's shift into an aged society in 2022. The EEC Office's secretary-general, Chula Sukmanop, highlighted the need for increased investment and new technological advancements for medical examinations and treatments [56455acc].

Additionally, the Chinese government has awarded $4.1 million (equivalent to 151 million baht) for 18 local projects in Thailand under the 2021 Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund (MLCSF). This funding will enhance living conditions in the Mekong sub-region and support sectors such as sustainable development, agriculture, food safety, and environmental protection [eab022ae].