A doctor takes a driver's temperature at a checkpoint in Zhejiang province during the epidemic. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]

The delegation from Zhejiang province to the third session of the 13th National People's Congress and the third session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference recently discussed how to improve public healthcare systems.

Ge Minghua, an NPC deputy, leader of Zhejiang's fifth medical team to Hubei and director of the provincial people's hospital of Zhejiang, said a coordinated and intelligent surveillance system based on big data analysis should be developed to curb the spread of infectious viruses.

Cai Xiujun, member of the 13th CPPCC National Committee and director of the Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital affiliated with the School of Medicine of Zhejiang University, said hospitals and disease prevention and control centers should play an important role in improving the disease prevention and control system.

Cai suggested building a sound public health emergency response system based on rule of law and an efficient public health emergency response decision-making system.

Cai also suggested improving hospitals by equipping them with ample isolation facilities, emergency response drugs, and ambulances so that they can respond effectively when major epidemics occur.

Wang Jian, another CPPCC National Committee member and deputy director of the provincial commerce department, emphasized the importance of professional medical staff.

"Medical colleges should reform their curriculums to focus more on real-world practice," said Wang.

NPC deputy Chen Baohua, president of Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co, said sufficient emergency response medical supplies should be guaranteed now that COVID-19 epidemic control is becoming the new normal.

NPC deputy Chen Wei, deputy director of the people's hospital in Kecheng district, Quzhou, called on efforts to improve community healthcare services and strengthen public awareness of epidemic prevention and emergency response.