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One deputy's tireless efforts

By Lei Lei (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-03-16 07:00

There is one startling thing you notice stepping inside Jiang Jian's hotel room: order within disorder.

There are documents everywhere, piles of them on the desk, and all over the bed.

Jiang, an NPC deputy from Shandong Province, is president of Qufu hospital, and vice-president of the local China Red Cross.

Her documents, a portfolio of research and investigations, are the result of hundreds of hours of work, making up the dozens of motions she is putting forward about the social welfare of ordinary people.

"I have been the deputy to the NPC for almost 20 years, so the local people trust me and always inform me of some problems in their working and daily lives," the 63-year-old said.

"It's easy for me to connect with the local people, who are working at the very front line and know the real problems. I'm the channel to make their concerns known to the country. I should successfully fulfill my mission."

Her motion on the urgent need for mental health laws had its origins in a letter sent to her by an old couple last year.

"They wrote to me and asked me to help their son, who has a serious mental disorder and escaped from hospital," Jiang recalled, adding the young man had killed someone.

Besides helping the patient get back to hospital, Jiang also found it urgent to put forward a law to protect the rights of people who are mentally ill.

"In creating a harmonious society, we should treat everybody equally, including those people with mental problems," Jiang said. "Although I'm not a specialist in psychosis, I have paid much attention to such cases."

So it was from that moment that Jiang's research on mental health issues began, and it was the start of her draft laws on rights for the mentally ill.

But Jiang's purpose at the NPC is not limited to helping those with mental illnesses. She has also conducted in-depth research on industry, agriculture and law.

In order to carry out her exhaustive research, Jiang personally interviews people directly affected by problems, making endless telephone calls, and hosting symposiums.

"I feel very tired ever day since I have to work more hours to fulfill the mission of a deputy," Jiang said.

"My working hours are nearly doubled everyday."

But Jiang treasures her position, and has no regrets.

"I'm always bearing in my mind that I'm a doctor as well as a people's deputy," she said.

"I write down what I hear and see immediately and then start researching."

(China Daily 03/16/2007 page6)