China set to establish early pregnancy clinics across 10k hospitals

China plans to establish early pregnancy care clinics in 10,000 medical institutions nationwide as part of efforts to promote fertility health and build a child-friendly society in 2026, the National Health Commission said on Tuesday.

The commission also aims to add 150,000 affordable nursery care slots to alleviate the childcare burden on families and increase childcare enrollment rates based on local conditions.

These initiatives are among a series of key tasks the commission has set for the year 2026 to address the most urgent and common concerns in the healthcare sector.

Following the announcement of the inclusion of the human papillomavirus vaccine into the national immunization program last September, the commission said it will provide free HPV vaccination for girls aged 13. This move is expected to reduce HPV infection rates and lower the incidence of cervical cancer in adulthood.

To improve vaccination accessibility, the commission emphasized that township health centers and community healthcare facilities will offer immunization services on weekends.

In addition, the commission will train 3,200 healthcare professionals in the integration of Western and traditional Chinese medicine, enabling more access to high-quality and convenient integrated medical services.

The commission also plans to further expand pediatric, mental health and hemodialysis services, and ensure that all major public hospitals are equipped to provide weight management services.