Media Center

By Robert Scherpbier, UNICEF China Chief of Health and Nutrition & Water, Environment and Sanitation

Rare is the book that changes a life. But the National Health and Family Planning Commission and UNICEF launched a book this month that is going to change the lives of millions of women and children.

It may seem a sensationalizing spin on the power of a 97-page book. Yet, that old line about information is power is truly appropriate to the huge difference this Maternal and Child Health Booklet will make. 

©UNICEF/China

First of all, the MCH Booklet enables mothers to keep all health care information for themselves and their children in one place.  This is particularly useful to health care providers: Having all health information in one place allows them to quickly see the history of the care to both the mother and her child. It thus enables both provider and mother (father or guardian) to notice any important check-ups, vaccinations or tests that may have been missed. And it gives service providers the opportunity to discuss the many aspects of child rearing with mothers and examples, in case of questions.

The book also contains all information relevant for each stage of a child's development, including warning signs for development delays. Mothers can find information on what best to eat during pregnancy and what food to give to their children, at various ages. Mothers can learn how their children should grow normally and how to prevent obesity. Having this information will help mothers assess their children's optimal growth.

The information encourages mothers (and fathers) to read to and play with their children.

The MCH Booklet also contains helpful information for parents to assess dangers in and around the home to thus prevent injuries. It also explains the importance of timely care seeking when children are ill and encourages mothers (and fathers) to seek out health care perhaps sooner than they might without this information at hand.

The information provided covers the whole life cycle of maternal and child health services up to age 6. It thus informs mothers of the primary health care services that are available and that they should be asking for.

The Maternal and Child Health Booklet complements the national health regulations, guidelines and counselling materials available to all health workers. It will be distributed to every primary health care facility in China, which means the Government will be printing one copy for every child born every year.

In short, the MCH Booklet will help pregnant women and their children to survive, thrive and develop to their full potential. Healthier mothers and children will contribute towards reaching the targets in the country's 13th National Development Plan and the new Sustainable Development Goals. Healthier mothers and children ultimately contributes towards stronger economic growth.

Keeping maternal and child health information in one handy MCH Booklet may seem a simplistic practice to promote—or even to be excited about (in UNICEF we are thrilled to see the massive distribution of this important and handy booklet). Sometimes, though, it's the simplest story lines about our own children that make the best page turners.