NHC urges action to prevent birth defects

The General Office of the National Health Commission has issued a notice detailing local authorities' assignments for the upcoming Birth Defects Prevention Day, which falls on Sept 12.

Local authorities should promote the country's policy on birth defects prevention, so that the public actively seeks to prevent and treat such defects, the notice said.

They should publicize the ideas and methods related to the prevention of these defects, and call on people to educate themselves on relevant issues, live a healthy lifestyle and give birth at the optimal age, according to the notice.

The authorities should also encourage newly married couples and those who are planning to have babies to prepare for pregnancy, and for pregnant women to receive proper prenatal care and screening. The notice encourages parents to take their newborn babies to be screened for inherited metabolic diseases and hearing impairments, among other health issues.

Notice issued to ensure schools' food safety

Market regulators and education authorities are being encouraged to enhance schools' food safety before the start of the new semester in September.

The State Administration for Market Regulation recently issued a notice along with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Security and the National Health Commission calling for tighter food safety preparation and supervision.

Authorities are being urged to ask catering companies and school canteens to conduct full inspections and step up examinations of their equipment and facilities to keep away mice, flies and other pests.

Authorities are also being asked to carry out inspections of catering companies and school canteens, and promptly rectify any problems found.

In the notice, schools are urged to strictly implement necessary measures to make sure their principals are accountable for food safety issues, and school officials dine with students.

Local education, health and market regulation authorities should also work together to better promote knowledge of food safety and nutrition, so that catering companies and school canteens avoid providing students with food containing too much salt, fat or sugar, according to the notice.

Inspection of medical insurance funds starts

A nationwide inspection to crack down on illegal activities related to medical insurance funds has been launched by the National Healthcare Security Administration and three other departments.

The inspection of medical insurance funds, launched on Aug 23 in Guizhou, Guiyang province, focuses on medical imaging, laboratory testing and rehabilitation, according to a news release issued by the administration.

The inspection will be carried out according to a plan issued in July, and will run until the end of the year.

Authorities will inspect all municipalities, and in each province, they will choose cities that use a relatively large amount of medical insurance funds for inspections, according to the plan.

The administration will produce a report on the inspections early next year.