To establish a rehabilitation aid system for children who suffer from disabilities is to race against time to save their lives and improve their health, Premier Li Keqiang said during the State Council executive meeting on May 30.

“From birth to age 6 is a golden period for rehabilitation, and whether children receive timely rehabilitation in this period can affect them for a lifetime,” Premier Li said.

It was decided during the meeting that assistance, including surgery, aid equipment and rehabilitation training will be given to those at 0-6 years of age who suffer from visual, hearing, speech, physical, or mental disabilities or autism from Oct 1. Essentially, all children with disabilities can receive assistance by 2020, according to the meeting.

Premier Li urged all levels of government to take responsibility without hesitation and include assistance funds into budgets in advance.

He also asked related departments to simplify the procedures for aid application.

“Even if the government rolls out a favorable policy, complicated and redundant procedures would greatly affect the families’ sense of gains,” said the Premier.

In fact, most applicants are financially challenged and it’s a heavy burden for them to provide a host of certifications, the Premier added.

He asked related government departments to provide packaged services once applications meet qualifications.

Premier Li also called for better assistance for children with disabilities in migrant workers’ families. Each of the eligible applicants and their families should be given assistance and care, he said.