When a child falls ill, even a simple fever can leave parents worried and searching for care. For millions of families, making sure a sick child gets timely, quality care is about more than treating an illness. It is about having help close to home, knowing where to turn when demand surges, and feeling that someone is there to care for their child.
China's 15th Five-Year Plan places greater emphasis on protecting minors and improving children's access to healthcare, with a particular focus on strengthening pediatric services.
At a press conference held by China's State Council Information Office on Monday, Lei Haichao, director of China's National Health Commission, said that pediatric clinics or departments at hospitals across the country can generally meet people's demand. But every autumn and winter, as respiratory infections surge, hospitals see a sharp rise in sick children, putting outpatient clinics and inpatient wards under considerable strain.