China to train more professionals to promote infant care services

BEIJING -- China will train more infant care-related professionals as part of its efforts to improve people's livelihoods, Yu Xuejun, deputy head of the National Health Commission, said here Friday.

Yu made the remarks at a press briefing held by the State Council Information Office. He also noted that vocational training is in need to improve infant care workers' professional skills.

China now has about 50 million infants under the age of three. The number is expected to rise as the country has removed the one-child policy.

"Chinese higher vocational schools, colleges and universities enrolled 296,000 students for infant care-related majors last year," said Wang Dai, a vice inspector of the Department of Basic Education at the Ministry of Education.

The ministry has set up majors in infant education and nursery as well as infant health and development in higher vocational schools, colleges and universities in recent years, said Wang, adding that it is also revising teaching standards for nursing, early education and related majors for the current need.

Yu also noted authorities will strengthen supervision over infant care service providers and have zero tolerance for infant abuse.

China released a guideline Thursday to promote infant care, which called for early child development guidance for families as well as healthcare services for infants provided by communities, business entities and governments.