A promotional event for the 2025 World Health Day was held on Monday at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital in Beijing. The event, focused on maternal and infant health, highlighted China’s significant progress in healthcare innovation. It celebrated the country’s efforts to improve maternal and child health through various initiatives and medical advancements.
According to reports from the Global Times, China has made substantial strides in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. In 2024, the national maternal mortality rate stood at 14.3 per 100,000, a significant achievement. The infant mortality rate fell to 4.0 per 1,000, while the mortality rate for children under five dropped to 5.6 per 1,000. These numbers mark historic lows and position China among the leading nations globally in maternal and child health outcomes.
Data from the China National Health Commission presented at the event showed that maternal and infant safety in China has been effectively ensured nationwide. The country has maintained a steady decline in these critical health indicators despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the pandemic, China continued to make progress in maternal and child health. The maternal mortality rate experienced an average annual decline of approximately four percent. Meanwhile, both infant and under-five mortality rates dropped by about five percent each year.
In 2024, these improvements reached new milestones. The maternal mortality rate stood at 14.3 per 100,000, while the infant mortality rate was 4.0 per 1,000. The under-five mortality rate reached 5.6 per 1,000, representing an unprecedented drop in these indicators.
These achievements have placed China among the top nations in maternal and child health within the upper-middle-income category. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized China as one of the top ten high-performing countries for maternal and child health outcomes.
The event also emphasized China’s progress in combating major diseases affecting women and children. For example, the infant mortality rate caused by birth defects decreased by over 30 percent compared to five years ago. Additionally, the incidence of five severe birth defects, including neural tube defects and Down syndrome, dropped by 21 percent.
China’s health authorities have worked hard to address emerging health challenges such as myopia, childhood obesity, and autism. The country has achieved a remarkable 95.1 percent coverage rate for eye health and vision screenings among children aged 0-6. In 2022, the myopia rate among children and adolescents decreased by 1.7 percentage points compared to 2018 levels.
Another key area of focus has been reducing the transmission of diseases from mother to child. China’s efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B have yielded impressive results. The national HIV mother-to-child transmission rate is now at 1.3 percent. Nine provinces have already met their targets for eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission.
Since 2009, China has incorporated cervical and breast cancer screenings into its public health programs. To date, the country has conducted 280 million cervical cancer screenings and 190 million breast cancer screenings. The country is also making progress in HPV vaccination, with 15 provinces offering free HPV vaccines to girls aged 13-14. This program benefits around 4 million girls annually.
China’s contributions extend beyond its borders. The country has been actively engaged in international cooperation to promote maternal and child health worldwide. According to official data, 117 Chinese obstetricians, gynecologists, and pediatricians are currently providing medical care in recipient countries. They are also training local healthcare workers.
China has collaborated with several countries and regions, including Sierra Leone, Malawi, Zanzibar, Guinea-Bissau, Burundi, The Gambia, and Cambodia, to enhance maternal and child health. In partnership with UNICEF, China launched a maternal and child health training program in countries along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This program aims to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in African countries, with 15 training sessions held so far for healthcare professionals.
China has also supported the creation of a reproductive medicine center at Mali Hospital. In 2024, the country’s first test-tube baby was born at this center, marking a milestone in reproductive healthcare for Mali. In South Sudan, a joint project focused on cervical cancer screening has provided nearly 4,000 services, supporting early diagnosis and treatment.
In Sierra Leone, Chinese medical teams launched the country’s first HPV genotyping program, helping to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030.
In conclusion, maternal and infant mortality rates in China have reached historic lows. The country’s advancements in healthcare have significantly improved maternal and child health outcomes. Through domestic efforts and international cooperation, China continues to make remarkable progress in healthcare, both at home and abroad.
