The China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation Monday launched a
project to ensure the well-being of mothers and babies in the
country's poor regions.
Siemens, one of the world's leading multinationals, has actively
joined in the foundation's work to reduce infant and maternal
mortality rates, especially in the remote villages of western
China.
The company will donate its income from selling its latest model
refrigerators in some major cities, including Beijing, for this
month.
"As responsible corporate citizens, we should join hands with
the foundation in this endeavor," said Roland Gerke, president of
Siemens China at yesterday's ceremony to launch the project.
The foundation's deputy secretary general Wang Xingzui said the
foundation was launching the campaign, named "Action 120: Maternal
and Infant Project," to mobilize the entire society to assist poor
pregnant mothers and infants.
The foundation has designed a multi-step system including
prenatal checks and emergency help facilities to guarantee timely
and basic aid for pregnant women in poor rural areas.
The movement's funds will also be used to train village and
township health staff and improve the level of rural medical
services in this important area.
"We hope more and more generous and sympathetic donors will
extend their help and we will pass their love on to the
recipients," said Wang.
Thanks to the improved medical services, China's infant
mortality rate had fallen to about 33 per 1,000 in 2001 and is
expected to continue to decrease. In some large cities, such as
Beijing and Shanghai, the infant mortality rate has dropped to 5.05
per 1,000, a rate similar to that in some of the most medically
advanced countries.
(China Daily August 5, 2003)