China’s health authorities are reviewing improvements made to the country’s public health in 2013. Officials from China’s National Health and Family Planning Commission reviewed medical reforms undertaken in 2013, and the building of public health infrastructure.

One of the most striking reforms was the relaxing of China’s One-Child Policy. Couples will now be allowed to have a second child, even if only one of the parents is an only child. The policy will be gradually implemented in 2014. Other topics discussed included the handling of the H7N9 epidemics, the murder of a doctor by a patient in a Wenzhou hospital in Zhejiang province, the emphasis on preventing HIV/AIDS and an extensive anti-smoking campaign.

They also introduced China’s medical foreign assistance. Over the past 50 years, China has sent over 230 medical workers to 66 countries and regions. Regarding the relaxing of the one-child policy, officials said China is prepared to embrace an increase in new borns.

"China will improve its health care services for pregnant women having a second child and their new born child. We will ensure we do a good job at policy and service levels. It will also be an important job for us in 2014," said Mao Qun’an, PR director of Nat’l Health and Family Planning Commission.

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