The upgrade of China's rural medical system is breeding corruption among heads of medical institutions in the country's remote areas.
Between 2009 and August of this year, the presidents of six rural health centers were prosecuted by the local procuratorate for taking kickbacks in the coastal city of Fangchenggang in south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, making it the biggest commercial bribery case in the city's medical system.
According to procuratorate documents, the suspects received kickbacks from pharmaceutical sales representatives worth 934,800 yuan ($152,496) when purchasing medical equipment such as Color B ultrasound machines in Fangchenggang, home to ten rural health centers.
The case was just one more in a series of similar cases in a corruption quagmire that has trapped several public officers working for the country's rural medical system.
In 2012, six health center deans in Guangxi's Luocheng county, a poverty-stricken county under the jurisdiction of Hechi city, were busted for accepting commissions while buying expensive medical equipment between 2008 and 2011.
Official documents show that the sales agents provided kickbacks to the centers' heads ranging from 10 percent to a staggering 25 percent in an attempt to increase sales.
Wednesday, 4 December 2013
Tuesday, 3 December 2013
SBP of 130mmHg linked to target organ damage
by Lynda Williams, Medwire News
A study of Chinese patients warns of the risk for target organ damage from untreated hypertension, especially for younger patients.
The ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring survey conducted in 1047 patients attending the Ruijin Hospital in Shanghai, China, showed that 24-hour systolic BP of 130 mmHg or higher alone or in combination with a diastolic BP of 80 mmHg or above significantly and independently increased the risk for organ damage independently of age.
In addition, increases in diastolic blood pressure alone were associated with significant elevation in the left ventricular mass index in patients aged less than 55 years old.
“[O]ur current study highlights the necessity to treat both systolic and diastolic hypertension to target in particular at younger age when the prevalence of isolated diastolic hypertension and combined hypertension is higher than in the elderly, among whom isolated systolic hypertension is more prevalent,” write Yan Li, from the hospital, and co-authors in Hypertension.
A study of Chinese patients warns of the risk for target organ damage from untreated hypertension, especially for younger patients.
The ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring survey conducted in 1047 patients attending the Ruijin Hospital in Shanghai, China, showed that 24-hour systolic BP of 130 mmHg or higher alone or in combination with a diastolic BP of 80 mmHg or above significantly and independently increased the risk for organ damage independently of age.
In addition, increases in diastolic blood pressure alone were associated with significant elevation in the left ventricular mass index in patients aged less than 55 years old.
“[O]ur current study highlights the necessity to treat both systolic and diastolic hypertension to target in particular at younger age when the prevalence of isolated diastolic hypertension and combined hypertension is higher than in the elderly, among whom isolated systolic hypertension is more prevalent,” write Yan Li, from the hospital, and co-authors in Hypertension.
Liangshan region of Sichuan ravaged by HIV
by Andrew Lee
The Liangshan region has been ravaged by an AIDS epidemic for the past 25 years. Official numbers show Sichuan as having 50,000 cases of AIDS, but the actual numbers are sure to be much higher. Half of the cases are from Liangshan, home of the Yi people, and our destination.
Zi'er, 74, has had to bury two of her sons, who died of AIDS. Her other two sons are currently infected with HIV. (Andrew Lee/CBC)
In the small isolated villages lives the Yi minority. They lead a rural life, a world removed from China's big, booming cities. Chickens run across roads while cattle amble and heavy blue capes are worn almost like an unofficial uniform. Faces are darkened by sunshine and the elderly are stooped from carrying a lifetime of burden.
A local NGO worker took me to visit a family crushed by the disease, in a village where 10 per cent of the population has AIDS.
A wrinkled 74-year-old matriarch wanted to speak, and clutching a family photo collage, she started to tell me about how all four of her sons had AIDS; two had already died.
They had gone to the big city looking for work and a better life; instead they found hard drugs and an injection habit.
The Liangshan region has been ravaged by an AIDS epidemic for the past 25 years. Official numbers show Sichuan as having 50,000 cases of AIDS, but the actual numbers are sure to be much higher. Half of the cases are from Liangshan, home of the Yi people, and our destination.
Zi'er, 74, has had to bury two of her sons, who died of AIDS. Her other two sons are currently infected with HIV. (Andrew Lee/CBC)
In the small isolated villages lives the Yi minority. They lead a rural life, a world removed from China's big, booming cities. Chickens run across roads while cattle amble and heavy blue capes are worn almost like an unofficial uniform. Faces are darkened by sunshine and the elderly are stooped from carrying a lifetime of burden.
A local NGO worker took me to visit a family crushed by the disease, in a village where 10 per cent of the population has AIDS.
A wrinkled 74-year-old matriarch wanted to speak, and clutching a family photo collage, she started to tell me about how all four of her sons had AIDS; two had already died.
They had gone to the big city looking for work and a better life; instead they found hard drugs and an injection habit.
"Many medical professionals and hospital staff are prejudiced against HIV-positive people"
A young AIDS nurse at the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center was forced to break up with her boyfriend when the young man’s parents found out about her job.
“They were scared of her job and possible risk to her and to the family,” said Dr Lu Hongzhou, director of Shanghai AIDS Treatment Expert Group. He is vice president of the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, a professional infectious disease hospital.
He told Shanghai Daily that the nurse’s sad story of thwarted love, ignorance and cruel prejudice prompted the hospital to make a micro move about the case.
“We hope to promote education among the public and help medical staff working in AIDS prevention and control get more respect and understanding,” the doctor said.
But many medical professionals and hospital staff are also prejudiced against HIV-positive people and AIDS patients, Lu said.
Hospitals — places where HIV-positive people and AIDS patients are supposed to receive help and compassion — are actually filled with fear and discrimination, according to doctors, nurses, patients and activists.
“They were scared of her job and possible risk to her and to the family,” said Dr Lu Hongzhou, director of Shanghai AIDS Treatment Expert Group. He is vice president of the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, a professional infectious disease hospital.
He told Shanghai Daily that the nurse’s sad story of thwarted love, ignorance and cruel prejudice prompted the hospital to make a micro move about the case.
“We hope to promote education among the public and help medical staff working in AIDS prevention and control get more respect and understanding,” the doctor said.
But many medical professionals and hospital staff are also prejudiced against HIV-positive people and AIDS patients, Lu said.
Hospitals — places where HIV-positive people and AIDS patients are supposed to receive help and compassion — are actually filled with fear and discrimination, according to doctors, nurses, patients and activists.
Premier Li Keiqiang - love not discrimination needed to help HIV patients
"Numerous stars are needed to light up the sky," - this is how Premier Li Keqiang highlighted the necessity for social organizations and volunteers to contribute to the fight against AIDS in a letter to medical workers and patients in a hospital in Beijing.
The letter was to mark World AIDS Day on Sunday, which had the theme, "Shared Responsibility: Strengthening Results for an AIDS-free Generation". President Xi Jinping also pointed out that efforts from all walks of life must be mobilized to provide AIDS patients with as good care as possible and eliminate discrimination against them.
Indeed, joint efforts are necessary, as apart from new medicines, people's awareness about how they should behave to avoid being vulnerable to the virus needs to be promoted.
Statistics show as of September, 434,000 people were detected with HIV/AIDS, the newly detected cases stood at 70,000 this year and nearly 90 percent involved sexual transmission.
As Premier Li wrote in his letter, the efforts of the government, along with the efforts of volunteers and social organizations, with whom he has been interacting and giving support for years, have stemmed the rapid increase of HIV infections. This has been no easy task for such a populous country as China.
The letter was to mark World AIDS Day on Sunday, which had the theme, "Shared Responsibility: Strengthening Results for an AIDS-free Generation". President Xi Jinping also pointed out that efforts from all walks of life must be mobilized to provide AIDS patients with as good care as possible and eliminate discrimination against them.
Indeed, joint efforts are necessary, as apart from new medicines, people's awareness about how they should behave to avoid being vulnerable to the virus needs to be promoted.
Statistics show as of September, 434,000 people were detected with HIV/AIDS, the newly detected cases stood at 70,000 this year and nearly 90 percent involved sexual transmission.
As Premier Li wrote in his letter, the efforts of the government, along with the efforts of volunteers and social organizations, with whom he has been interacting and giving support for years, have stemmed the rapid increase of HIV infections. This has been no easy task for such a populous country as China.
Monday, 2 December 2013
North and South China need separate flu vaccination schedules
by Michael Woodhead
Climatic variation precludes a single national influenza schedule for China, and instead there should be two separate programs for northern and southern areas of the nation, say infectious disease experts.
Dr Yu Hongjie and co-researchers from the Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Early-warning on Infectious Disease, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, have found that China has two distinct patterns of influenza in northern and southern regions.
In a study of influenza reports from 30 provinces between 2005 and 2011 they found that influenza A levels were much more prominent and seasonal in the north compared to the south of China. Epidemics peaked in January–February in northern China and April–June in southernmost regions. Provinces in central China showed semi-annual influenza A patterns with peaks in January–February and June–August. With influenza B, infections predominated in colder months throughout most of China. The researchers said their findings showed that regional-specific influenza vaccination strategies would be best for China;
“These findings show that influenza seasonality in China varies between regions and between influenza virus types and suggest that, as in other settings, some of these variations might be associated with specific climatic factors."
“Overall, these findings suggest that, to optimize routine influenza vaccination in China, it will be necessary to stagger the timing of vaccination over three broad geographical regions … Annual campaigns should be initiated 4–6 months apart in Northern and Southern China."
Full study: PLOS Medicine
Climatic variation precludes a single national influenza schedule for China, and instead there should be two separate programs for northern and southern areas of the nation, say infectious disease experts.
Dr Yu Hongjie and co-researchers from the Key Laboratory of Surveillance and Early-warning on Infectious Disease, Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, have found that China has two distinct patterns of influenza in northern and southern regions.
In a study of influenza reports from 30 provinces between 2005 and 2011 they found that influenza A levels were much more prominent and seasonal in the north compared to the south of China. Epidemics peaked in January–February in northern China and April–June in southernmost regions. Provinces in central China showed semi-annual influenza A patterns with peaks in January–February and June–August. With influenza B, infections predominated in colder months throughout most of China. The researchers said their findings showed that regional-specific influenza vaccination strategies would be best for China;
“These findings show that influenza seasonality in China varies between regions and between influenza virus types and suggest that, as in other settings, some of these variations might be associated with specific climatic factors."
“Overall, these findings suggest that, to optimize routine influenza vaccination in China, it will be necessary to stagger the timing of vaccination over three broad geographical regions … Annual campaigns should be initiated 4–6 months apart in Northern and Southern China."
Full study: PLOS Medicine
X-rays help diagnose and monitor A (H7N9) influenza
In a case series of eight patients who had the infection, Dr Shi Yuxin and colleagues at the Department of Radiology, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, found that bedside chest radiography was helpful for evaluating patients with severe clinical symptoms of H7N9 influenza and for follow-up evaluation.
They found the most common imaging findings were a mixture of ground glass opacity and consolidation, and pleural effusion was common. Most cases of novel H7N9 influenza had a poor short-time treatment response, and seemed to have either rapid progressive radiographic deterioration or fluctuating radiographic changes.
“The distribution, rapid progression of fluctuations of pneumonia, and consolidations may help differentiate H7N9 infection from other causes of pneumonia,” the radiologists said.
Full study: Chinese Medical Journal
Schistosomiasis control program proves highly effective at Poyang Lake
Researchers from Shanghai have shown that a Schistosomiasis control program has been highly effective in almost eliminating the infection from the Poyang Lake region of China.
Researchers from the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai assessed the impact of a comprehensive schistosomiasis control program started in 2003. In 2003, the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infection ranged from 6.5% to 11.3% in the program sites. In 2006, the control program reduced schistosomiasis infection to levels of 0.6% to 1.6%. The US$10,000 cost of the program reduced prevalence of schistosomiasis nine-fold. And was deemed to be highly cost-effective.
“This work clearly shows the improvements in both cost and disease prevention effectiveness that a comprehensive control program-approach has on schistosomiasis infection prevalence.”
Full study: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Researchers from the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai assessed the impact of a comprehensive schistosomiasis control program started in 2003. In 2003, the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infection ranged from 6.5% to 11.3% in the program sites. In 2006, the control program reduced schistosomiasis infection to levels of 0.6% to 1.6%. The US$10,000 cost of the program reduced prevalence of schistosomiasis nine-fold. And was deemed to be highly cost-effective.
“This work clearly shows the improvements in both cost and disease prevention effectiveness that a comprehensive control program-approach has on schistosomiasis infection prevalence.”
Full study: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Air pollution increases respiratory diseases in Lanzhou
A study from Gansu has shown a strong link between air pollutants and respiratory hospital admissions, especially in older women.
The study carried out by the College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, looked at level of air pollution and respiratory hospitalisations from 2001 to 2005, It found that three measures of air pollutants (PM10, SO2, NO2) had a lag effect of up to five days. The strongest effects of pollution on respiratory hospital admissions were seen in females and those aged over 65 yrs.
Full study: Environmental Pollution
Full study: Environmental Pollution
Sunday, 1 December 2013
President Xi stresses fight against HIV/AIDS
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for legal and scientific prevention and control of HIV/AIDS as well as various social support for carriers and patients.
Xi made the remarks in a recent written instruction on the country's anti-HIV/AIDS work before the World AIDS Day, which falls on December 1.
According to Xi, the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS concerns people's life and health and social harmony and stability and is the obligatory responsibility of the Party and the government.
Xi urged Party and government organs at all levels to step up the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Xi stressed legal and scientific prevention and control work as well as the smooth implementation of support policies, calling on the public to jointly eliminate discrimination and help provide timely and effective treatment and support for HIV carriers and AIDS patients.
Commenting on a report submitted by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Beijing Municipal Committee on its anti-HIV/AIDS work, Xi praised progress in the work and urged the city to carefully summarize experience to strive for further achievements.
The Chinese government has intensified its fight against HIV/AIDS, with special fund allocated for the field for this year increasing by 10.5 percent from 2012. Efforts have been made to expand the coverage of HIV/AIDS check and treatment while reducing patients' burdens.
Source: China Daily
Xi made the remarks in a recent written instruction on the country's anti-HIV/AIDS work before the World AIDS Day, which falls on December 1.
According to Xi, the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS concerns people's life and health and social harmony and stability and is the obligatory responsibility of the Party and the government.
Xi urged Party and government organs at all levels to step up the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Xi stressed legal and scientific prevention and control work as well as the smooth implementation of support policies, calling on the public to jointly eliminate discrimination and help provide timely and effective treatment and support for HIV carriers and AIDS patients.
Commenting on a report submitted by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Beijing Municipal Committee on its anti-HIV/AIDS work, Xi praised progress in the work and urged the city to carefully summarize experience to strive for further achievements.
The Chinese government has intensified its fight against HIV/AIDS, with special fund allocated for the field for this year increasing by 10.5 percent from 2012. Efforts have been made to expand the coverage of HIV/AIDS check and treatment while reducing patients' burdens.
Source: China Daily
Big rise in HIV among young Chinese gay men
The share of young people around the age of twenty in all HIV infections in China almost doubled from 2008 to 2012, with male-to-male sex as the prominent contributing factor, a senior health official has said.
"Among all HIV cases reported across the country last year, 1.7 percent were Chinese youths aged between 15 and 24, up from the 0.9 percent in 2008, and the number of infected college students keeps rising," said Shang Hong, director of the HIV/AIDS key lab under the National Health and Family Planning Commission.
Revealing the figures at a promotional activity on Saturday for the World AIDS Day, which falls on December 1, Shang added that 95 percent of the infected in the group were boys, and 70 percent of these infections were through male-to-male sex.
Arie Hoekman, the United Nations Population Fund's representative in China, said previously about 40 percent of new HIV/AIDS infections every day around the world are people aged between 15 and 24.
In an earlier report, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed legal and scientific prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, calling on the public to jointly eliminate discrimination and help provide timely and effective treatment and support for HIV carriers and AIDS patients.
Source: China Daily
Was "Empty Nose Syndrome" the cause of the doctor-stabbing case?
The Internet has lit up with conversations about an obscure complication from nose surgery this month, after an article titled "Empty Nose Syndrome - the real murderer of the doctor-stabbing case?" started circulating.
The tragic case happened last month in the No.1 People's Hospital of Wenling, Zhejiang Province, where Wang Yunjie, the chief physician of the ear-nose-throat department, was stabbed to death by Lian Enqing, a patient who had been dissatisfied by surgery performed at the hospital, the Global Times reported on November 1.
Lian was reportedly suffering from nasal obstruction, headaches and insomnia after nose surgery, but several examinations showed nothing wrong. Lian's family suspected him of having psychological problems and forced him to accept mental treatment.
The article said Lian killed the doctor because Lian suffered from Empty Nose Syndrome (ENS), a side effect of nasal surgery.
The tragic case happened last month in the No.1 People's Hospital of Wenling, Zhejiang Province, where Wang Yunjie, the chief physician of the ear-nose-throat department, was stabbed to death by Lian Enqing, a patient who had been dissatisfied by surgery performed at the hospital, the Global Times reported on November 1.
Lian was reportedly suffering from nasal obstruction, headaches and insomnia after nose surgery, but several examinations showed nothing wrong. Lian's family suspected him of having psychological problems and forced him to accept mental treatment.
The article said Lian killed the doctor because Lian suffered from Empty Nose Syndrome (ENS), a side effect of nasal surgery.
Saturday, 30 November 2013
Guangdong to trial family doctor service
China's southern Guangdong Province, one of the richest regions in the country, will initiate a family doctor service starting next year on a trial basis, local health authorities said.
The move is to encourage people to have medical care at grassroots medical institutions and reduce the pressure on hospitals in cities.
The provincial government is expected to experiment the service at county-level next year. The service will cover all streets and villages within five years, according to a provincial health and family planning commission statement on Wednesday.
A family doctor, or family physician, is devoted to the continuing and comprehensive health care for individuals and families across all ages.
The family doctor service will be based on the general medical practitioners service in urban community and rural township clinics. They will initially serve the elderly, pregnant, disabled, children and those with chronic diseases and then extend to all people in their areas, according to the statement.
The doctors will provide basic medical care as well as health consultations.
Coastal Guangdong Province, with a population of more than 100 million, is leading the country in economic development with a per capita gross domestic product of 54,095 yuan ($8,818) recorded in 2012.
Source: Global Times
The move is to encourage people to have medical care at grassroots medical institutions and reduce the pressure on hospitals in cities.
The provincial government is expected to experiment the service at county-level next year. The service will cover all streets and villages within five years, according to a provincial health and family planning commission statement on Wednesday.
A family doctor, or family physician, is devoted to the continuing and comprehensive health care for individuals and families across all ages.
The family doctor service will be based on the general medical practitioners service in urban community and rural township clinics. They will initially serve the elderly, pregnant, disabled, children and those with chronic diseases and then extend to all people in their areas, according to the statement.
The doctors will provide basic medical care as well as health consultations.
Coastal Guangdong Province, with a population of more than 100 million, is leading the country in economic development with a per capita gross domestic product of 54,095 yuan ($8,818) recorded in 2012.
Source: Global Times
Chinese Alzheimers research may be example of academic 'black market'
by Margaret Munro
Some of Canada’s top brain specialists have apparently been duped by shady operators in China.
The Canadian doctors approved and recently published a scientific report on Alzheimer’s disease that came from a “flourishing” academic black market in China, according to a report released Thursday.
“China’s publication bazaar,” as it is described, allows unscrupulous scientists to pay big money — up to $26,300 — to become authors of scientific papers they didn’t write.
They don’t do any experiments or research either, according to the report in the U.S. journal Science that adds a creative, if disturbing, twist to research misconduct.
“It’s new to me,” says Dr. Robert Chen, at the University of Toronto, who is now investigating the origins of the suspect Alzheimer’s report.
It surfaced last year in China’s “flourishing academic black market involving shady agencies, corrupt scientists and compromised editors — many of them operating in plain view,” according to Science. It says that several scientific papers advertised under “authorship for sale” by Chinese brokers and editing shops have later appeared in established journals — including the Alzheimer’s report published this year in the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences.
Some of Canada’s top brain specialists have apparently been duped by shady operators in China.
The Canadian doctors approved and recently published a scientific report on Alzheimer’s disease that came from a “flourishing” academic black market in China, according to a report released Thursday.
“China’s publication bazaar,” as it is described, allows unscrupulous scientists to pay big money — up to $26,300 — to become authors of scientific papers they didn’t write.
They don’t do any experiments or research either, according to the report in the U.S. journal Science that adds a creative, if disturbing, twist to research misconduct.
“It’s new to me,” says Dr. Robert Chen, at the University of Toronto, who is now investigating the origins of the suspect Alzheimer’s report.
It surfaced last year in China’s “flourishing academic black market involving shady agencies, corrupt scientists and compromised editors — many of them operating in plain view,” according to Science. It says that several scientific papers advertised under “authorship for sale” by Chinese brokers and editing shops have later appeared in established journals — including the Alzheimer’s report published this year in the Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences.
Chinese government acts to improve 'second rate' rural medical insurance plan
Early in November, Chen Ping arrived in Beijing on what was likely to be her last trip to the capital.
The 52-year-old stayed just two days - long enough for her to say a heartfelt farewell to the doctors and nurses in the oncology department of the Chinese PLA General Hospital who have been treating her breast cancer for eight years.
Chen, who comes from a small village in Jilin province, wanted to express her gratitude to the medical staff for helping to extend her life.
She told the staff she was grateful to have lived long enough to see her sons grow up. However, as her illness is now in the terminal stages she has decided to stop receiving treatment.
One man Chen particularly wanted to see was out of town, so she was unable to say a last goodbye to Liu Duanqi, former director of the hospital's oncology department, who supervised her treatment.
Liu, looking tired after a working trip to Gansu province, said of Chen: "She's a peasant woman with a rural hukou (household registration). That means the only public medical insurance available to her is the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme."
The hukou system effectively ties a person to their place of birth and registration. It usually means that they are ineligible to claim social benefits or medical insurance if they receive treatment outside the place where they are registered.
The 52-year-old stayed just two days - long enough for her to say a heartfelt farewell to the doctors and nurses in the oncology department of the Chinese PLA General Hospital who have been treating her breast cancer for eight years.
Chen, who comes from a small village in Jilin province, wanted to express her gratitude to the medical staff for helping to extend her life.
She told the staff she was grateful to have lived long enough to see her sons grow up. However, as her illness is now in the terminal stages she has decided to stop receiving treatment.
One man Chen particularly wanted to see was out of town, so she was unable to say a last goodbye to Liu Duanqi, former director of the hospital's oncology department, who supervised her treatment.
Liu, looking tired after a working trip to Gansu province, said of Chen: "She's a peasant woman with a rural hukou (household registration). That means the only public medical insurance available to her is the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme."
The hukou system effectively ties a person to their place of birth and registration. It usually means that they are ineligible to claim social benefits or medical insurance if they receive treatment outside the place where they are registered.
Poor rural infants to be screened for PKU, thyroid and hearing disorders
China will start screening for three major diseases among infants in poor rural areas next month, said the National Health and Family Planning Commission here on Friday.
The free screening targets phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism and hearing disorder and will cover about 490,000 rural newborns in 200 poverty-stricken counties of 21 provincial regions, said a commission statement.
Those who are diagnosed with the diseases will receive treatment and medical assistance from the state, according to the statement.
Phenylketonuria, also known as PKU, is a metabolic genetic disorder that can lead to learning disability, seizures and other medical problems. If patients can be diagnosed at an early age and get proper treatment, the symptoms may not develop and they can have a normal life.
Congenital hypothyroidism is another metabolic disorder under which an infant is born with a severe deficiency of thyroid function. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent growth failure and mental retardation caused by the condition.
The central government will allocate a special fund for this program, 120 yuan (19 U.S. dollars) for each infant, the statement said.
Additionally, the commission will dispatch free dietary nutrition supplements to infants from six to 24 months in 300 poor counties so as to reduce incidence of anemia and stunting.
Source: China Daily
The free screening targets phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism and hearing disorder and will cover about 490,000 rural newborns in 200 poverty-stricken counties of 21 provincial regions, said a commission statement.
Those who are diagnosed with the diseases will receive treatment and medical assistance from the state, according to the statement.
Phenylketonuria, also known as PKU, is a metabolic genetic disorder that can lead to learning disability, seizures and other medical problems. If patients can be diagnosed at an early age and get proper treatment, the symptoms may not develop and they can have a normal life.
Congenital hypothyroidism is another metabolic disorder under which an infant is born with a severe deficiency of thyroid function. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent growth failure and mental retardation caused by the condition.
The central government will allocate a special fund for this program, 120 yuan (19 U.S. dollars) for each infant, the statement said.
Additionally, the commission will dispatch free dietary nutrition supplements to infants from six to 24 months in 300 poor counties so as to reduce incidence of anemia and stunting.
Source: China Daily
Friday, 29 November 2013
13 clinical research centres launched with $16 million funding
In a Lancet editorial published today, Yang Zhe, Deputy Director-General for the Department of Science and Technology for
Social Development, Ministry of Science and Technology, China, says the launch of the National Clinical Research Centres program will see 13 new clinical research centres launched with initial funding of $16 million:
"Over the past 5 years, China has increased its investment in scientific research by 20% annually, with funding of more than US$160 billion (1 trillion Renminbi) in 2012. In the Outline of the Twelfth Five-year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, the State Council declared that overall 2·2% of gross domestic product will be spent on scientific research. The Chinese Government's funding for medical research has increased accordingly, resulting in notable achievements. However, investment differs between biomedical and clinical research. In 2011, government funding for biomedical research was about $1 billion (6 billion Renminbi), but only $250 million (1·5 billion Renminbi) for clinical research. The investment in clinical research has lagged at a time when such knowledge is needed to address China's many health challenges—the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, soaring health-care costs, a rapidly ageing population, and changes in health behaviours and local environments.
"Over the past 5 years, China has increased its investment in scientific research by 20% annually, with funding of more than US$160 billion (1 trillion Renminbi) in 2012. In the Outline of the Twelfth Five-year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, the State Council declared that overall 2·2% of gross domestic product will be spent on scientific research. The Chinese Government's funding for medical research has increased accordingly, resulting in notable achievements. However, investment differs between biomedical and clinical research. In 2011, government funding for biomedical research was about $1 billion (6 billion Renminbi), but only $250 million (1·5 billion Renminbi) for clinical research. The investment in clinical research has lagged at a time when such knowledge is needed to address China's many health challenges—the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, soaring health-care costs, a rapidly ageing population, and changes in health behaviours and local environments.
Free abortions suggested for Beijing students
The representative, named Wei Aiming, timed his proposal to coincide with the onset of winter vacation. Chen Suwen, a doctor at the Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, admitted that the number of students seeking abortion peaks every year after school holidays.
Wei said that if public hospitals can offer abortions for free or for less than 100 yuan, it will help students to avoid having to choose cheap private hospitals and the increased risk of future complications.
Source: ECNS
Pregnancy screening program set up in western and inland provinces
A program to help pregnant women get better healthcare and prevent birth defects has been launched.
The program plans to establish 22 training centers in 11 central and western provinces to improve ultrasound diagnosis, especially by doctors in far-flung areas.
Initiated by the China Medical Foundation and Samsung Electronics, the program was launched in Guiyang, capital of Guizhou province, in early November.
Pregnant women in these areas will have better facilities and diagnosis, said He Pijie, director general of the China Medical Foundation.
Statistics from China's Birth Defects Prevention Report in 2012 shows that nearly 150 out of every 10,000 infants had congenital defects in China. The report also indicates that birth defects not only cause disability but also become a leading cause of death among Chinese infants.
"Especially in China's central and west regions, the lack of fundamental equipment and doctors with proper experience are causing even higher death rates for infants," He explained.
Source: Peoples Daily
The program plans to establish 22 training centers in 11 central and western provinces to improve ultrasound diagnosis, especially by doctors in far-flung areas.
Initiated by the China Medical Foundation and Samsung Electronics, the program was launched in Guiyang, capital of Guizhou province, in early November.
Pregnant women in these areas will have better facilities and diagnosis, said He Pijie, director general of the China Medical Foundation.
Statistics from China's Birth Defects Prevention Report in 2012 shows that nearly 150 out of every 10,000 infants had congenital defects in China. The report also indicates that birth defects not only cause disability but also become a leading cause of death among Chinese infants.
"Especially in China's central and west regions, the lack of fundamental equipment and doctors with proper experience are causing even higher death rates for infants," He explained.
Source: Peoples Daily
Cockroaches bred by pharmaceutical companies for hepatitis drugs
Wang Fuming spends 8 hours every day with cockroaches — millions of them. He even dines on them, fried, in the belief they can cure his stomach disease.
Although the insect incites feelings of disgust and dread for many people, the 43-year-old businessman in Shandong province has pinned high hopes on them.
Inside two concrete buildings near an elevated highway running through Jinan's Changqing district, Wang keeps as many as 10 million cockroaches in sheets of cartons that resemble battery cages on a hen farm.
Wang supplies cockroaches to pharmaceutical companies, who use them as medicinal ingredients. Scientists say certain parts of a cockroach can enhance a person's cardiovascular functions as well as combat hepatitis B.
The price of dried cockroaches, on average, reaches 150 yuan ($25) per kilogram and farms are steadily spreading in Shandong, Jiangxi, Yunnan and Sichuan provinces.
The largest farm, which occupies more than 2 hectares and has an annual production of more than 1 billion American cockroaches, is owned by a pharmaceutical company in Xichang, Sichuan province.
Source: China Daily
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