On April 7, the World Health Day event was held in Beijing. Lei Haichao, minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), attended and delivered a speech. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), delivered a video speech.

The theme of World Health Day 2025 is "Health beginnings, hopeful futures", and the NHC has identified China's celebration activity theme as "Safeguarding Maternal and Child Health, Care for the Future of Our Nation". Lei Haichao pointed out that China adheres to the people-centered development philosophy. The service capacity and coverage rate of maternal and child health care have been continuously improved, and China has been listed by the WHO as one of the top 10 high-performing countries in maternal and child health. In the process of building a Healthy China, China will continue to optimize the service chain for the whole life cycle, carry out the "Year of Pediatric and Mental Health Services", and promote the high-quality development of maternal and child health. China is willing to enhance international exchanges and cooperation, provide support and assistance to the best of its capabilities, firmly support the work of international organizations including WHO and UNICEF in improving the global maternal and child health, and promote a global community of health for all.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus appreciated the government of China for its leadership on maternal and child health. He pointed out that all women need high quality maternal care, no matter who they are or where they live.

Representatives from WHO China Office, UNICEF China Office, relevant departments, and officials from Beijing Municipal Government attended the event.

At the event, the medical staff group of Haidian District Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital (P1), Chen Weihua (P2), He Yihua (P3), Duo Lin (P4), Huang Hongmei, He Qiang, Hu Yan (P5), and Li Zhenghong (P6) told touching stories including the rescue of critically ill pregnant women, the prevention and treatment of birth defects and major childhood diseases, the application of artificial intelligence, and the screening, diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart diseases during foreign aid missions through short plays, poetic narratives, and other performances. These stories vividly demonstrated China's approach to safeguarding maternal and child health. [Photo/nhc.gov.cn]