Rare diseases affect millions globally, and the Chinese mainland is no exception. An estimated 20 million people here live with a rare condition—and 70% of them are children.
On July 5, pediatric specialists from the Chinese mainland and the UK gathered in Chongqing for the inaugural China-UK Pediatric Rare Disease Forum. Co-hosted by the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and the UK's Department for Business and Trade, the event marked a milestone in cross-border cooperation.
The forum spotlighted key priorities:
- Data sharing: Building secure, shared registries to track rare disease cases.
- Innovative therapies: Accelerating research on gene therapies and novel drugs.
- Capacity building: Training clinicians in both regions on the latest diagnostic tools.
Participants exchanged insights on leveraging telemedicine to reach remote communities, and discussed streamlined pathways for clinical trials. By combining expertise and resources, the Chinese mainland and the UK aim to fast-track new treatments and bring hope to families navigating the challenges of rare childhood illnesses.
As global health systems strain under the weight of emerging challenges, this partnership demonstrates how collaboration can turn data into action—saving young lives and pioneering the next generation of pediatric care.
Reference(s):
China, UK strengthen cooperation on tackling rare childhood illnesses
cgtn.com
