Great news for families in the Chinese mainland! 🍼 China is leveling up its efforts to ensure healthier beginnings for newborns by boosting its birth-defect prevention network.
At a recent symposium on rare disease collaboration and communication, it was revealed that over 4,000 agencies are now dedicated to prenatal screening tests across the country. Plus, more than 3,000 agencies are offering pre-marital and pre-pregnancy exams. That's a huge deal! 🎉
With over 8,000 identified birth defects, many of which are rare diseases, these enhancements are super important. Shen Haiping, deputy head of the maternal and child health department of the National Health Commission, emphasized the significance of this move. \"Enhancing the prevention and treatment of birth defects is crucial for improving the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases,\" she said.
And guess what? The number of prenatal diagnostic institutions has surpassed 500, and there are 259 centers dedicated to screening newborn diseases. Talk about stepping up! 💪
China isn't just talking the talk; they're walking the walk. The prevention of birth defects is a key part of the Outline of Healthy China 2030. The country has rolled out multiple documents guiding medical institutions to offer equitable, accessible, high-quality, and efficient services for preventing birth defects.
Many provinces are joining the movement. A total of 24 provinces are providing free pre-marital examinations, and 23 are offering free pre-pregnancy exams. Thanks to these efforts, the prenatal screening rate has skyrocketed to 91.3% nationwide! 🚀
The results? Stunning! The infant mortality rate and the mortality rate among children under five caused by birth defects have both dropped more than 30% compared to five years ago. That's amazing news for families and future generations. 👶❤️
Shen added that further efforts will be made to improve the prevention and treatment of birth defects, as well as to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases. All to better fulfill the aspiration of the public to have healthy children. That's what we like to hear! 🌟
China’s dedication to newborn health is making waves, and we're here for it! 🙌
Reference(s):
China boosts network for newborn health, prevention of birth defects
cgtn.com
