BEIJING -- Premier Li Keqiang said China is cooperating closely with WHO and other international organizations on the H7N9 avian flu.

The government attaches great importance to public health and has been working to effectively prevent and control infections, Li said on April 18 while meeting with Naomi Seboni, chairwoman of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), and Tewodros Melesse, director-general of the organization.

The government has demanded that every patient be treated in a timely fashion and without concern for their ability to pay, Li said.

Hailing the IPPF’s role in improving global health, Li said China will continue to cooperate with the federation on matters related to family planning and reproductive health.

Seboni said she appreciated China’s public health achievements and pledged to boost cooperation with China to fulfill the UN Millennium Development Goals.