Chinese scientists will take part in a series of international programs aimed at improving health conditions in developing countries, a top scientist announced at the second global meeting of the InterAcademy Medical Panel (IAMP) in Beijing Thursday.

"With China's growing scientific strength, Chinese scientists will play a more active role in promoting global health research, especially for the developing world," said Liu Depei, president of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

IAMP is an international network of medical academies of science and engineering.

The first of IAMP's health study programs is a Perinatal Mortality Project, which will gather statistics from six different geographic regions of the world to serve as the basis for a comparative analysis. The study aims to find out causes of and solutions to high perinatal mortality rates in the developing world.

IAMP will also launch a Rheumatic Fever Project, which will organize experts in Africa to conduct research into better diagnostic techniques and advocate for the elimination of rheumatic fever in Africa through preventive treatments.

IAMP members unanimously endorsed the goals of the Disease Control Priorities Project (DCPP), a collaborative effort aimed at helping developing countries maximize their health investments.

In a statement issued at the conclusion of its General Assembly, IAMP member academies agreed to help disseminate and communicate their findings and encourage government officials to fund activities that will help achieve the DCPP goals.

The DCPP roadmap for improved global health covers issues including HIV/AIDS and avian influenza.

(China Daily April 7, 2006)