DR. GEORGE HATEM AND CHINA'S HEALTH CARE

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06955123
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: July 13, 2023
• Document Release Date: August 25, 2022
• Case Number: F-2020-01106
• Publication Date: September 12, 1973

Approved for Release: 2022/08/19 C06955123
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DIRECTORATE Of
Ii4TEUIGENCE
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Intelligence Information Report
This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within
the meaning af She Espionage Lows, 1itle,18, .Sees: 793 -and 794, the transmission
or revelatien Of which in any manner to an onouthodzed person is prohibited by law.
f. P171-feNi
; COUNTRY People's Republic of China
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SUBJECT lt. George Hatem Not the Minister
� of Pant Health/Degenerative
Diseases a bbjor ProblemiSchisto�
somiasis 4 Problem in the South
DATE OF INFO.
PLACE & DATE ACQ. BY SOURCE
,DCS REPORT NO.
DATE DMA.
NO., PAGES
REFERENCES
12 SEP.1973
2
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THIS IS UNEIALUATED INFORMATION
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1. Dr George Hatem has been associated with the Chinese Communist movement
since 1936 and he is a dedicated, humble man- who .has contributed immensely
to the quality of health-care prevailing in the People's. Republic of China
(PRO) today. Due to Dr Hatem's "desire for anonymity and his reluctance
to accept publicity, many people have speculated as to what his actual
position in the PBC is. He recently granted. -en interview
but only after Chou En-lai instructed him to do so.
2. According to Dr Hatem, the only title he possesses is that of Medical
Doctor. He is not the Minister of Public- Health in. the IRO; he is not a
Communist Party fnnctionary, even though he is a Party member; and he is
not the head of the EU Chen Nen Wei Hospital inYeking. He is a special-
ist in dermatology, venerealogy, leprosy, and social epidemlology. Currently
he is specializing in occupational dermatosis: Hue to his humilzty, his
desire to serve his fellowman, and because he a native born Chinese,
he has shunned any Position of leadership within the governmental hierarchy.
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3. Bis specia1i7ation in social epidemiology is one reason speculation has
arisen concerning his position within the Ministry of Public Health. Be
developed the current system of public health and he is responsible for
the curtailment of the serions contagious diseases that plagued China for
[
centuries. He
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Despite the lack of a title, he is recognized throughout the PRO, and all
health officials implement his suggestions immediately.
4.. Dr. ha-tern claims that degenerative diseases are becoming a larger problem
, than they have been in the past. These diseases are increasing in the
larger cities but not in the countryside. Several factors are taus- -
ing the increase: the tempo of life has become faster; the population is '
living longer; and famines, and pestilence are taking less of a toll.
Xn addition to the degenerative diseases, schistosomiasis is a najor problem
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� DCID 1/7 establishes the controls for ,the dissemination-and use Of the intelligence and intelligence information in-this report. The diamminatiOn
of Ali 'doomamt is limited fa civilian and native duty military. personnel within the Intelligence components. of the usia member ngencies;�and to Mete
senior officials of the member agendas who must act uPOn the information:However,. unless- specifically controlled in accordance with paregnMh 8of�
�DCID 1/7, it may be released to Mose components of ihe departments and ogericies Of the US. :Government directly pardeipating in the productiOn
of National InMiligence. DisseMination of this report ounide the States of the United ,Seenis, or to any I ddmd..! or ergonization; other Mon those
specified above. Is forbidden without the specific approved of the'DomesneContact.Serviee, Directorate at Intelligence.
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ih the southern part of the PRO. No solution, has been developed to control
this disease although a high priority has been assigned to the e'ffort. �
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5. Dr. Batem reluctantly discussed a few aspects of political life in the
PRO. Be stated that Communism has not been achieved as yet but steady
progress is being made toward that goal. His salary is higher than his
son's because the stage of societY is now such that each receives according
to his ability, not according to his needs. The Cultural Revolution served
as a purification of the ranks so now the majority of the masses share the
same goal of achieving full Communism. The CUltural Revolution also pro-
vided a continuity to the system that was lacking before, and this will not
be altered with the death of Mao or Chou.
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�GGHT�Reettity-011$92M�
Approved for Release: 2022/08/19 C06955123