01918nas a2200205 4500000000100000008004100001653002000042653003200062653001800094653001000112100000900122700001400131700001100145245006500156856007900221300000600300490000600306520138600312022001401698 2012 d10aschistosomiasis10aNeglected Tropical Diseases10aHealth system10aChina1 aXu J1 aCollins C1 aTang S00aSchistosomiasis control and the health system in P.R. China. uhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3710143/pdf/2049-9957-1-8.pdf a80 v13 a

Over the last sixty years advances have been made in the control of schistosomiasis in P.R. China. There are, however, difficult challenges still to be met. This paper looks at the extent to which the health system offers a positive environment for the control of the disease. It starts by tracing three phases in schistosomiasis control: disease elimination strategy through snail control (1950s-early 1980s); morbidity control strategy based on chemotherapy (mid 1980s to 2003); integrated control strategy (2004+). Each one of these phases took place in distinct policy-making environments. The paper partly draws on these phases to set out five issues of disease control and discusses them in the context of the health system and its recent trends. These cover the policy-making process, intersectoral action for health, equity and access to health services, funding for public goods and externalities, and strengthening resource management and planning. These issues form the basis of an agenda for integrating research and capacity strengthening in the Chinese health system with a view to creating a more positive enabling environment for schistosomiasis control. In so doing it is important to emphasize the role and integrity of the public sector against its commercialization, the underlying value of equity, a systems wide perspective, and the role of advocacy.

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