Child welfare groups seek more gov't support
- By Chen Boyuan
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E-mail China.org.cn, July 11, 2013
![China's children welfare groups are seeking more support from the government to help needy children with major illnesses.[Chen Boyuan / China.org.cn]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20130711/7427ea210acc134859d150.jpg "China's children welfare groups are seeking more support from the government to help needy children with major illnesses.[Chen Boyuan / China.org.cn]") |
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China's children's welfare groups are seeking more support from the government to help needy children with major illnesses.[Chen Boyuan / China.org.cn] |
Children's charity organizations in China are seeking more government support to help children with major illnesses..
Major illnesses are those ailments whose treatment may cost an average person's annual disposable income. Leukemia, malicious tumors, congenital heart disease and cleft lips are among the costly health issues that most often bankrupt Chinese families.
China's national policies do provide assistance to children with major illnesses. In 2012, the government increased efforts to aid children with childhood leukemia and congenital heart disease, and two years later expanded coverage to 20 other diseases, including end stage renal disease (ESRD), multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and hemophilia.
Under the current policies, children with major illnesses can be refunded for a certain percentage of their medical expenses. But treatments for many conditions often carry a hefty price tag, and children with such conditions are more likely to be from already-needy families than wealthier ones. Even with the government sharing the cost, many families simply cannot afford treatment for major illness.
Current policies are also designed with only overarching coverage in mind and can prove unaccommodating to those whose illnesses or demographics differ from those of the majority. According to Tong Xiaojun, a chief researcher with China Youth University for Political Sciences, children from families that exceed family planning quotas and children who suffer from severe mental or social illnesses are often ineligible to benefit from the current policies..
"The government and charitable groups should join hands to improve the situation. Our ultimate goal is to have children enjoy social advancement," said Tong Wednesday , commenting on the Report on the Participation of Charitable Organizations in Medical Aid for Needy Children in China.
The report also found there is a lack of assistance to children with leukemia, malicious tumors and cerebral palsy.
Charitable groups in China have taken the initiative on child welfare programs to fill in gaps left by government policy. In 2012, more than 70 charity groups in China launched 130 programs specifically to assist children with major illnesses. Tens of thousands children have reportedly received help from such organizations.
China Red Cross Foundation (CRCF) is a recognized leader in the field. Its Angel Program, first launched in 2005, has invested 923 million yuan (US$148.87 million) in helping children, and the families of children, suffering from leukemia, congenital heart disease and cleft lips, according to the foundation's chairman Guo Changjiang.
Guo said he hoped China Red Cross' efforts will "raise the government and the entire society's concern for impoverished sick children, which will in turn influence the government's policymaking."
Other groups active in helping needy children in China include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Smile Angel Foundation, and China Charities Aid Foundation for Children.
In the proposed "seamless docking" with the government, the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) wishes the government to purchase services from them, or, in other words, fund their services. In this way, sick children who don't fall into the government's standardized packages will have other financial options.
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