China - Taking aim at illegal maternity clinics

Citation

(2008), "China - Taking aim at illegal maternity clinics", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 21 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhcqa.2008.06221cab.007

China - Taking aim at illegal maternity clinics

Article Type: News and views From: International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Volume 21, Issue 3.

Keywords: Patient safety, Quality healthcare standards, Patient education

Shanghai authorities have cracked down on 57 underground clinics providing illegal baby deliveries, abortions and prenatal checks.

Officials from the Shanghai Population and Family Planning Commission said yesterday that the move protects migrant families from the risk of unqualified maternity services.

Illegal checks for foetus gender and subsequent illegal abortions are key violations being targeted by the authorities.

A month-long campaign kicked off yesterday at the square outside Shanghai Railway Station, with experts providing migrants education on family planning and reproductive health, and consultations on medical and legal problems. They also distributed free contraceptives.

“Caring for migrant workers’ reproductive health and protecting their rights are key tasks of the local population and family planning authorities”, said Xie Lingli, director of the Shanghai Population and Family Planning Commission.

“We provide free reproductive education for 150,000 migrant workers and families every year and promote the availability of condoms by setting up some 18,000 free distribution spots, 3,781 self-service free condom cabinets and 1,000 vending machines in the city.

“Recently, we have also been providing early education for children up to three years”.

Last year, the commission spent 820,000 yuan (US$113,103) helping 4,293 migrant workers in financial difficulties and a further 591,000 yuan supporting the schooling of poor children.

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