Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

131. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update to the co-operation activities which have been carried out under the memorandum of understanding on health regulation, training, promotion, hospital standards and so on, with the People's Republic of China, since August 2012; if further agreements are being negotiated or intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8428/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In February 2012, H.E. Mr. CHEN Zhu, Minister of Health of the People's Republic of China extended an invitation to visit China to James Reilly, the then Minister for Health. Minister Reilly visited China from 13 to 19 August 2012.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on health co-operation between the Department of Health of Ireland and the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China was signed by both Ministers at a bilateral meeting on 16 August 2012. The Memorandum replaced a previous MOU which covered the period 2004 to 2009. The objective of the MOU is to encourage and develop cooperation and exchange in the field of healthcare between the two countries.

The areas of co-operation set out in the Memorandum 2012 - 2017 are:

1.Health regulation.

2.eHealth and telemedicine

3.Medical professional training

4.Health promotion

5.Maternal and child health

6.Hospital standards

7.Traditional Chinese medicine

In May 2013, Minister Reilly hosted a visit from Madam Li Bin (appointed Health Minister in March 2013) and a delegation of senior officials from China's National Health and Family Planning Commission (HHFPC). The programme included meetings with Minister Reilly and senior officials at which a range of health issues were discussed including health reform, public hospital management, primary health care, community health services and general practitioner training.Visits to a primary care centre and St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin also took place. The visit afforded the opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest and establish links between appropriate institutions. It also provided the delegation from China to witness and learn of examples of good practice in the health area.

I am aware that in September 2014 sixteen Chinese healthcare workers (GPs) and two Chinese officials were invited to Ireland by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI), the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) and Heedo (accredited healthcare education online company) to visit a number of primary care centres in Dublin, Kildare and Cork and to attend a series of GP training workshops in key primary care teaching facilities.

The current MOU is valid until 2017.