The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's expert meeting, which has been providing advice from a scientific perspective on countermeasures against the new coronavirus, will be disbanded at the end of this month, and a meeting was held on the 25th with the expert members.
Expert meeting analyzes the infection status of the new coronavirus and advises the country
Since February 2020, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's expert meeting has been in charge of analyzing the infection status of the new coronavirus and advising the government from a scientific perspective, but support for patients with the new coronavirus is expected to begin at the end of this month. We have decided to disband at the same time as this.
On the 25th, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare with member experts, and Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Takemi, who attended, said, ``The number of deaths due to the new coronavirus is the lowest among the G7 = seven major countries, and with your knowledge, we can increase the number of deaths.'' The lives of many people have been saved,'' he said, evaluating the activities to date.
Mr. Wakita, who served as chairperson, said, ``Many suggestions were useful for countermeasures.''
Takashi Wakita, director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, who served as the chairperson, said, ``Many suggestions were made at almost weekly meetings, which were useful for countermeasures.We will foster new experts in preparation for the next infectious disease. We need to put effort into this,'' he said, expressing the view that it is important to prepare for the future.
To date, 124 expert meetings have been held.
Mr. Omi: “Issues that have arisen due to the coronavirus pandemic: Let’s discuss them in normal times”
After the event, Shigeru Omi, chairman of the Tuberculosis Prevention Association and one of the members who responded to an interview with the press, said, ``This is not the end, but the issues that have arisen due to the coronavirus pandemic, such as the ideal medical system and the promotion of digitalization.'' It is important to discuss this during normal times and to proceed with preparations."
Achievements and significance of expert meetings
The "New Coronavirus Infection Countermeasures Advisory Board" first met in February 2020, when the new coronavirus infection was spreading in Japan, to provide specialized advice to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Ta.
The members included public health and virology experts and infectious disease doctors, and was chaired by Takaji Wakita, director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.
It has been held 124 times so far, and during the period when the infection was spreading, it was held almost every week.
Playing a role in the country's new coronavirus countermeasures from a scientific standpoint
Expert meeting on February 24, 2020
At the meeting, the latest information on the infection situation, the strain on the medical system, and data on the number of people to prevent the spread of infection were reported, as well as predictions of future outbreaks using a method called mathematical modeling. We have provided evaluation and advice.
Based on the expert opinions and analysis results presented at this event, the government's subcommittee responsible for countermeasures against the new coronavirus conducted discussions, and has played a role in the country's countermeasures against the new coronavirus from a scientific standpoint.
Volunteer members actively disseminate information such as warnings about the spread of infection
In addition to the activities of the expert meeting, as a volunteer among the members, in the fall of 2022, we will propose shortening the recuperation period for infected people in order to maintain medical and social functions, and we will introduce new coronavirus infectious disease regulations. In April last year, before the above status was moved to "Category 5," we proactively sent out messages such as once again calling for caution against the spread of infection.