Beijing Women's Federation

China has adopted a collection of measures to further improve prenatal and postnatal care and promote the healthy growth of children. 

Song Li, head of the Department of Maternal and Child Health of the National Health Commission, made the remarks when delivering a speech at the third China Forum on Population and Development. The event was held by the China Family Planning Association, the Committee on Population Resources and Environment of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and the China Population and Development Research Center, in Beijing on February 11.

Song introduced that the country has carried out specific action plans to guarantee baby and maternal safety, improve the health of children, strengthen its capability building in the prevention and control of birth defects and promote reproductive health and the practice of breastfeeding.

Statistics show that in 2021, China's mortality rate for maternal, infant and children under five had dropped to the lowest level in history. In the same year, the National Health Commission released two action plans (2021-25) to ensure baby and maternal safety and enhance children's health. In addition, the National Health Commission has issued guidelines to help the public fully acquire scientific childbearing concepts and knowledge and improve parental competence in raising children aged three and under.

The country has intensified its investment in public health sectors and done its utmost to step up the prevention and control of birth defects, which are key factors for infant death and disability.

Song stressed that the prevention and control of birth defects has been conducted with such measures as premarital and pre-pregnancy medical check-ups, prenatal medical screening and diagnosis, early disease screening and medical intervention for infants, as well as the increased availability of rehabilitation programs.