The Minister for Health Dr James Reilly will, next week, visit China at the
invitation of Mr Chen Zhu, the Minister of Health of the People’s Republic
of China. Dr Reilly has accepted Minister Chen Zhu’s invitation to speak at
a major conference in Beijing. The week long visit, against the background
of developing Sino-Irish relations, will also involve a range of Irish
medical institutions and the National University of Ireland Galway.
Minister Reilly and Minister Chen Zhu will take the opportunity to sign a
renewed Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and China on
cooperation in the health sector. Minister Reilly will also witness the
signings of Memoranda of Understanding involving NUIG based Network of
Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB) and two Chinese bodies.
Minister Reilly will be a keynote speaker at the China Health Forum in
Beijing. Established in 2010, the Forum brings together senior health
administrators, health institution executives, representatives from health
industry, experts and scholars. This year, the Forum will focus on health
care reform, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and
sustainable health development. ( See http://www.chf-bj.org/en/)
Among the groups taking part in the trip will be the Royal College of
Surgeons Ireland, the Royal College of Physicians Ireland, An Bord
Altranais and the Irish College of General Practitioners. As contributors
to the China-Ireland Workshop in Beijing the visit will offer the groups
significant opportunities for boosting Irish/Chinese cooperation and
collaboration in the health sectors in each country.
Commenting on the visit, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said that “Coming after the
February visit of the Chinese Vice President, Mr Xi Jinping to Ireland and
the visit of the Taoiseach to China in March, Minister Reilly’s visit will
be an opportunity to add further impetus to the development of the broad
bilateral relationship between China and Ireland, specifically in the
health sector”.
The itinerary also includes visits to Beijing Children’s Hospital, TEDA
International Cardiovascular Hospital, a community health centre and Peking
Union Medical College Hospital. The Minister will conclude the trip with a
visit to Yanda International Healthcare City.
Note to Editors
The delegation accompanying the Minister includes representatives of the
following bodies:
· Royal College of Surgeons Ireland
· Irish Medicines Board
· Irish College of General Practitioners
· An Bord Altranais
· Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
· National University of Ireland, Galway
· The IHeed Institute
· Irish Medical and Surgical Trade Association