U.S. government underscores need for close international cooperation
MANILA – With the rise in COVID-19 positive cases and deaths worldwide, Dr. Sarah Bennett, Commander of the United States Public Health Service said the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention said there remains a need for closer international cooperation among various governments.
In a teleconference late Thursday evening from Washington and participated in by media professionals worldwide, Dr. Bennet said cooperation between her government and international partners and different ministries of health are well in place to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For this pandemic in particular, the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and prevention, of CDC, is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) our ministries of health colleagues, and other partners to respond to request to assist countries to prepare for and respond to COVID-19,” she said.
Dr. Bennet added they are supporting countries to implement the recommendations from the World Health Organization on the identification of people who might have COVID-19, diagnosis and care of these patients, and tracking the pandemic. She explained many countries that have already received assistance in the past are using the acquired lessons and skills to prepare for, detect and respond to CPVOD-19.
Asked about working relations with the Chinese government, Dr. Bennet said the CDC and the Chinese Government have been collaborating for the past three decades to address public health priorities affecting the United States, China and the world.
She said CDC works with their Chinese counterparts from the National Influenza Epidemiology, Virology and Pandemic Preparedness Centers and their provincial and local CDCs as well as hospitals and academic institutions.
Asked about their coordination with different countries with different cultures, Dr. Bennet said it is important to remember cultural and social differences in responding to any outbreak of infectious disease.
“I think that’s why it’s really important that governments and partners be familiar with the guidance that WHO is recommending, and CDC is recommending, and all of that material is available on their websites,” she further explained.
She underscored that every country needs to think about how they’re going to adapt those guidance documents to best implement the best measures in their country to control the spread of the virus. (Melo M. Acuña)
Dr. Sarah Bennett, Commander, United States Public Health Service and head of the International Task Force for COVID-19, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Asia Pacific Media Hub photo)
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