China Sets 2030 Targets for Maternal, Infant and Elderly Care

Beijing, September 14 – During a briefing organized by the State Council Information Office, officials from the National Health Commission and related agencies announced a comprehensive suite of policies to boost reproductive support, child health and senior medical services as part of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan.

Deputy head Kuoyan Hong stressed that population issues remain a strategic priority, with the current plan period witnessing profound demographic shifts. To address these, China will refine its reproductive support framework, strengthen health provisions for key groups and drive high‑quality population development.

Maternal and infant health goals target a maternal mortality rate of less than 12 per 100,000 live births and an infant mortality rate below 3.5 per 1,000 live births by 2030. The plan includes enhancing maternal‑child safety systems, expanding early detection and treatment for breast and cervical cancers, and delivering free HPV vaccinations to eligible girls.

In the realm of child‑care, a robust subsidy mechanism will be fully implemented, and inclusive early‑learning facilities will be expanded. The target is a six‑point increase in enrollment of children under three in childcare centers by 2030. Pediatric care will also be upgraded, with a focus on early developmental services and the launch of a "Five Health" program addressing vision, weight, mental health, bone health and oral health for children and teenagers.

For older adults, hospitals will retrofit wards and medical equipment to be more senior‑friendly, and procedural simplifications will make physician visits and treatments more accessible.

These policies aim to cement the construction of a "healthy China" and support sustainable demographic progress.