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 almost as good as developed
countries, the rate in western regions is still as high as 80 to
100 per 100,000 because of poverty.
To mobilize all of society to assist poor pregnant women in
China's central and western regions, more than 20 Chinese singers,
actors and actresses joined the China Foundation for Poverty
Alleviation (CFPA) in Beijing yesterday which was Mother's Day to
promote a campaign called "Action 120: Maternal and Infant
Project."
Wang Xingzui, the foundation's secretary-general, explained that
in the project's name "120", "1" stands for one family; "2" stands
for two lives and "0" stands for 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 poor mothers.
"Our primary goal is to make sure that every pregnant woman
delivers her baby in a hospital instead of at home," Wang said.
Each expectant mother receives up to 100 yuan (US$12) if it is a
natural labor under the project and up to 800 yuan (US$100) if she
needs a Caesarean.
The money 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 China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, southwest
China's Yunnan Province and Chongqing Municipality. More than 20,000 poor
mothers and infants have benefited from the project, according to
figures provided by CFPA.
"And in 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.
Anyone who wants to help can contact the foundation on
010-82872688-825.
(China Daily May 15, 2006)