NHFPC'S Press Conference on May 29

(en.nhfpc.gov.cn)

Updated: 2014-07-21

Q: China has a huge migrant population. Can those migrant women and children get equally safe healthcare services?

A: Migrant population in China has grown to 245 million, among whom 63 million have come to an age for childbirth, and 31 million are children. We have been trying to provide them more equal public services, an effort that has paid off because their health has largely been improved over the years.

Last year’s statistics show the rate of hospital delivery has reached 95 percent among the migrant population, and that of registered women stood at 92 percent. Hospital delivery fees are shared by the subsidy program, the new rural cooperative medical system, and urban medical care system. Up to 92 percent of migrants with half-year residency have set up accounts for healthcare services for children under 6 years old, and for immunization.

We will continue to upgrade our healthcare services for migrant women and children to equally benefit from China’s economic and social development.

Q: Obstetric wards in some cities have been increasingly overcrowded after the new second-child policy was adopted. How does the Commission deal with that?

A: The new policy has indeed posed some challenges to healthcare services for women and children. And the situation you mentioned does exist in many places. We estimated that China will see an increase of about 2 million newborns every year. It’s worth mentioning that most pregnant women for a second child may be in their late 30s. Therefore, we have to be well prepared to prevent birth defects and ensure the safety of high-risk pregnant women.

An advisory will soon be issued, rolling out some measures for local health and family planning commissions and medical institutions to better handle the situation.

First, get fully prepared for the situation and add more beds in obstetric wards. Offices should be set up to help manage high-risk cases.

Second, map out a specific plan based on the quality of healthcare services. If possible, it’s better to release the real-time availability of beds in obstetric wards and whether a pregnant woman is registered or not, which will help better organize patients in the hospital.

Third, establish more healthcare institutions for women and children. At least one standard such institution should be set up to meet the growing demand. Meanwhile, we need to upgrade healthcare facilities and improve the quality of services.

Fourth, add more qualified medical workers, such as midwives, pediatricians, and nurses, with favorable policies in payment and professional title evaluation. Meanwhile, pilot midwife programs will be initiated at some colleges to prevent shortages in the longer run.

Fifth, gear up for public education and consultation on government policies, as well as conception and child-rearing knowledge.

Sixth, upgrade public healthcare services and streamline medical treatment process for women and children.

Seventh, strengthen management of high-risk pregnancies and postnatal care, and newborns. We need to set up a mechanism to smooth the process of emergency treatment and transfers to ensure their safety.