Local officials and medical workers held a fourth meeting in Kangbashi district, Ordos, on Aug 22, discussing how to allocate medical resources to ensure attendees' access to health care during the upcoming 13th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

Wang Sheng

Wang Sheng, deputy executive head of the Ordos Organizing Committee's medical support group for COP and deputy secretary-general of the Ordos government, attended the meeting. He emphasized that the personnel of the medical support group are tasked with medical treatment and health care, as well as inspection of public health facilities and quick response to public health emergencies.  

"When treating patients, medical personnel need to follow procedures carefully and pay attention to details," Wang said, adding that emergency plans to deal with a public health crisis need to be further improved.

Wang proposed 10 pieces of advice for medical support groups. He urged personnel, including the leaders, to have clear division of responsibility and carry out simulation drills in the lead up to the COP.

He Tao

He Tao, deputy head of the medical support group for COP, said the health workers should provide careful service and keep health information transparent. He emphasized that they need to carry out vector-based disease prevention work.

As of Aug 22, the medical support group has formulated 14 health plans including emergency plans. The support personnel consist of more than 1,000 medical workers and 25 English-speaking volunteers. The medical facilities consist of 20 ambulances and one mobile hospital.

The COP, established by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, will hold its thirteenth session in Ordos, China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, from Sept 6-17. Around 1,400 delegates from 196 parties will attend to set out plans to achieve "Land Degradation Neutrality(LDN)" by 2030.

To ensure the well-being of delegates to the COP the organizing committee is fully preparing health services.