Move to hospital deliveries saves mothers, infants in Tibet

Starting in 2002, parents of a newborn could also get a set of free baby clothes.

In 2007, the subsidies for new mothers and their escorts climbed to 30 yuan and 20 yuan, respectively, and the program was expanded to cover the entire Tibet Autonomous Region. Mothers from farming and herding families could have their travel costs to the hospital reimbursed and were exempted from hospital and delivery fees.

Newborns became entitled to a range of free vaccines such as hepatitis, measles, diphtheria and tetanus, after a physical examination. Post-natal care was also provided, with three doctor visits to newborns.

At the same time, the infrastructure improved rapidly in Tibet. By the end of 2008, 94.3 percent of its 683 counties and townships and 67 percent of the villages had roads. "In Lhaze, all the villages have roads now," said Tsenam.

UNICEF conducted training twice a year for local officials who were in charge of the program, like Tsenam. The officials then went back to train doctors in village clinics and grassroots cadres in charge of women's affairs.