Chinese kindergartens and nurseries will shortly no longer be allowed to turn down children carrying hepatitis B who have normal liver function, says a draft government regulation.

The draft, which is open to public feedback till Aug. 15, is expected to replace the current regulation, a simplified version that took effect in December 1994 which did not include such a requirement, a source with the Ministry of Health said Friday.

The draft regulation, applying to all kindergartens and nurseries hosting children aged under six, also requires them to report to medical authorities and enforce strict sterilization measures if infected children are found.

Children will have to present health records issued by authorized medical institutions on entry into nursery institutions, and their guardians will be required to take them for treatment should they display infectious disease symptoms.

When they return to their preschools, children will be required to show medical recovery documents. Those who take three months or longer leave will have to present a new health check record if they want to return to the nursery or kindergarten.

The draft also requires medical staff in child care centers to have a fundamental knowledge of child care, sterilization, infectious disease control and dietary management.

Kindergartens will be required to recruit at least one professional medical staff member for every 150 children. Nurseries with less than 150 children are required to have at least part-time medical staff, the draft regulation says.

Preschool center staff will have to have an annual health examination and will not be allowed to continue work if they have an infectious disease. A return to work will be dependent on full recovery.

The regulation also bans people with a record of psychiatric disorder from working in kindergartens and nurseries.

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2009)