China has launched a program to promote infants' healthy growth, giving priority to medical care during pregnancy and the first two years after birth.

The comprehensive growth program for children in their early years, jointly launched by the ministries of health and education, National Working Committee on Women and Children under the State Council and the United Nations Children's Fund, will help ensure basic and quality medical services for rural infants, who are more likely to die of pneumonia, diarrhea and malnutrition for lack of access to medical care.

The period of pregnancy and first two years after birth is regarded as the key period in developing children's potential.

The program will be carried out in nine counties in Jiangxi, Guizhou and Gansu provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region within two years, and will involve children's health, nutrition, education, environment and water pollution prevention and children's protection.

The program is aimed at developing a service network for offering infants under six years old sound education and health care services.

(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2005)