Promoting children's health important task for society

The State Council report on children's health promotion was delivered to the top legislature for deliberation on Tuesday.

According to the report, since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, China's investment in children's health has risen, the policy system as well as the overall level of children's health has significantly improved, achieving the goals set by the Program for the Development of Chinese Children (2011-20).

Over the past decade, the State has successively formulated and revised the laws on vaccine management, and basic medical and health promotion, providing a legal basis for promoting children's health and achieving remarkable progress.

According to the report, the mortality rate was 5 and 7.1 deaths respectively per thousand infants and children under 5 in China in 2021, down 51.5 percent and 46.2 percent from 2012, which is better than the average level in middle-and high-income countries. The growth retardation rate and low weight rate among children under 6 have improved, common infectious diseases among children have been effectively curbed, and disabling birth defects such as neural tube defects and Down syndrome have been brought under initial control.

Protecting children's health is the foundation for protecting people's health. As the international situation is undergoing profound and complex changes, the Chinese nation can be rejuvenated through continuous efforts through generations.

On the whole, China's children's health promotion has achieved remarkable results, but the overall rate of myopia among children and adolescents is still high, the incidence of scoliosis and autism is on the rise and the overweight problem cannot be ignored. The phenomenon of "intergenerational parenting" is widespread and the professionals providing medical services for children are in short supply. There are institutional weaknesses in the medication, mental health and injury prevention and control of children. These call for us to work harder for the healthy growth of children so that they can become capable builders of the nation. From "safeguarding the basic rights and interests of women, minors and the handicapped" as mentioned in the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), to setting up a special chapter for developing children's cause in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), a series of measures all highlight the determination and responsibility of the Party and State to protect children's rights and interests and promote their healthy growth.