Figures from the Ministry of Health show that while the maternal
mortality rate in eastern regions, such as Shanghai, has declined
to 10 per 100,000 births, which is close that achieved by developed
countries, the rate in western regions is still as high as 80 to
100 per 100,000 because of poverty.
To mobilize society to assist poorer, pregnant women in China's
central and western regions, over 20 Chinese singers, actors and
actresses joined the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation
(CFPA) in Beijing yesterday -- Mother's Day -- to promote a
campaign called "Action 120: Maternal and Infant Project."
Wang Xingzui, the foundation's secretary-general, explained that
the figure "120" was -- "1" stood for one family; "2" stood for two
lives and "0" signified a zero risk in giving birth.
"A safe birth is crucial to a family and most of the deaths in
the countryside could be prevented with easily implemented and
affordable measures," he said. "We hope with today's activity the
project will receive more public attention."
The project, which was launched in 2000 by CFPA, one of the
country's largest non-governmental organizations, is aimed at
complementing the maternal and infant healthcare system and
reducing or exempting medical treatment fees for poorer
mothers.
"Our primary goal is to make sure that every pregnant woman
delivers her baby in a hospital instead of at home," Wang said.
As part of the project each expectant mother receives up to 100
yuan (US$12) if she gives birth naturally and up to 800 yuan
(US$100) if a Caesarean is required.?
The funding should be enough to cover at least one-third of the
total expense involved in giving birth, according to CFPA. Prenatal
checks and emergency support facilities have also been set up.
The project currently covers more than 700,000 people in five
counties in east China's Fujian?Province, northwest Ningxia?Hui Autonomous Region, southwest
Yunnan?Province and Chongqing?Municipality. More than 20,000
poorer mothers and infants had benefited from the project,
according to CFPA figures.?
"And within the next three years our project will cover about
2.5 million people in 10 counties," Wang said. He added that a
sound mechanism had been set up to ensure donations were given to
those most in need.
(China Daily May 15, 2006)