China has dramatically expanded its healthcare network to tackle birth defects, a key focus in its mission to safeguard newborn health. With over 4,000 prenatal screening agencies and 3,000 centers offering pre-marital and pre-pregnancy checkups, the country is building a robust support system for families.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Over 500 prenatal diagnostic institutions and 259 newborn disease screening centers are now operational nationwide. The efforts are paying off: prenatal screening rates hit 91.3%, while infant mortality linked to birth defects has dropped by over 30% in five years.
\"Enhancing birth defect prevention is vital for improving rare disease care,\" said Shen Haiping of the National Health Commission.
Free Services & Future Goals
24 provinces now provide free pre-marital exams, and 23 offer free pre-pregnancy checkups. These initiatives, part of the Healthy China 2030 blueprint, aim to ensure equitable, high-quality healthcare access for all.
Next steps? Officials plan to boost rare disease diagnosis and further reduce health risks for children—because every family deserves a healthy start.
