A view from the grass roots.
A 14-member study team learned firsthand about promotion of family planning and maternal and child health (FP/MCH) in China while in the country during August 17-30, 1997.  The self-funded team was headed by JOICFP Chairman Masao Sawaki and included representatives of the public health and preventive health field as well as an official from a Japanese university.  The team first traveled to Fangshan District of Beijing where implementation of JOICFP's Integrated Project (IP) began in 1996.  A fifth-cycle project area, Fangshan is receiving assistance from IPPF through JOICFP for a period of 3 years.  The team moved north to Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to observe IP activities in Tumud Left Banner of Hohhot City, a second-cycle project area which received support between 1987 and 1989.  The third area visited was Yunnan Province in the south, where they observed activities in Jiangchuan County, a third-cycle area which was supported between 1990 and 1992.  The comparison between the pilot area and original project areas was rewarding for the team, which noted that activities had continued to expand with support from the people after the 3-year funding period had ceased.  In Inner Mongolia, the team noted how parasite control has been effectively used to gain community participation in activities.  The project has expanded from 2 towns with a population of 50,000 to cover 19 towns with 343,000 people.  In Jiangchuan Country, the IP has expanded from 5 towns with 108,000 people to cover 12 towns with 240,000.  Prior to the project launch in 1989, the infant mortality was 60/1000 live births and the hospital delivery rate was 45%.  These had improved to reach 23.3/1000 and 87%, respectively, as of 1996.
D001208:Asia; D002681:China; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D003906:Developing Countries; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005202:Asia, Eastern; D006262:Health; D006285:Health Planning; D006296:Health Services; D008430:Maternal-Child Health Centers; D009934:Organization and Administration; D011320:Primary Health Care; D016730:Program Development
Asia; China; Delivery Of Health Care; Developing Countries; Eastern Asia; Evaluation; Family Planning; Family Planning Programs; Health; Health Services; Integrated Programs; Maternal-child Health Services; Monitoring; Organization And Administration; Primary Health Care; Program Development; Programs