New checks put curb on defects in Shanghai

BEIJING, July 27 -- Couples planning to have children are enjoying a new service in Jing'an District of Shanghai.

More than 100 couples there have received special health check cards which offer free examinations designed to reduce the rate of birth defects.

Launched by Jing'an District Population and Family Planning Commission, the free check-ups are available to all including immigrant workers and residents.

"It's our first try at a totally free check-up service in order to encourage couples consider the prevention of birth defects.

We can also extract valuable information from the results," said Ying Bu, dean of the Population and Family Planning Commission.

The check-ups will include sperm and egg examination and tests for diseases.

Couples who have tried the service already are satisfied with the service.

The new check-ups could be crucial in controlling the rate of birth defects after new government regulations canceled mandatory physical examinations when couples are married.

"We found fewer couples had any check-ups before pregnancy," Professor Li Xiaotian from Fudan University's Maternity Hospital said.

(Source: Shanghai Daily)