Zhong Nanshan, a renowned medical whistleblower, is among China's 10 best scientists and technicians, the China Association for Science and Technology announced yesterday.
Zhong, director of the Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases in south China's Guangdong Province, is credited with helping to identify and then stem the 2003 outbreak of SARS.
During last year's swine flu outbreak, he queried the number of deaths from the disease and said there could be cover-ups. In response, the Ministry of Health ordered all administrative and medical departments to ensure accurate reporting of swine flu cases.
He called on the public to be vigilant against the spread of swine flu despite the low death rate from the disease.
He also succeeded in curing a number of SARS and swine flu patients, said a document from the association.
Zhong, 74, is the oldest of "China's 10 best scientists and technicians." The youngest was Chen Jin, 45, head of the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, known for his work in popularizing science, said Li Sen, an association official.
The only woman laureate, Nyima Zhoima, 46, was a Tibetan botanist who bred the first oil-rich rape in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Li said the awards increased public respect for the work, talent and creation of scientists and technicians.
The 10 on the list would be awarded gold medals at a ceremony on December 14, said Wang Chunfa, publicity director of the association.
