Chinese Health Official: "Medical Resource Shortage Makes Zero-COVID Policy Inevitable"

On the 18th, residents admitted to a temporary COVID-19 hospital in Shanghai, China, lie on beds. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] A Chinese government health official stated that China still lacks medical resources and must firmly maintain its lockdown-focused 'Zero COVID' policy.

On the 19th, Ma Xiaowei, director of the National Health Commission of China, posted an article in the previous day’s issue of 'Xuexi Shibao,' the official newspaper of the Communist Party Central Party School, expressing this view.

Director Ma emphasized, "We clearly oppose the so-called 'With COVID' and other mistaken ideas, as well as the incorrect narrative of COVID-19 becoming like the flu," adding, "We must adhere to a comprehensive strategy to block external importation and prevent internal infection resurgence, and uphold the 'Dynamic Zero COVID' policy."

He added, "The scientific and precise Dynamic Zero COVID policy is a major decision based on science and discipline, initiated by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core," and stressed, "It must be implemented unwaveringly."

Director Ma acknowledged that China is a populous country with uneven regional development and insufficient total medical resources.

He particularly argued that if epidemic prevention is not managed and 'control' is neglected, national health resources will face a surge in demand, putting people with underlying conditions, the elderly, children, and pregnant women at serious risk.

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