A launch ceremony was held on Jan 21 for the newborn screening pilot projects for congenital heart diseases (CHD) at the Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children (CQHCWC) in Southwest China's Chongqing.

The pilot programs are being launched to implement the three-level prevention and control measures: early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment. The goal is to reduce disabilities and death among children with CHD.

A total of 40 people participated in the event, including representatives from the Chongqing Municipal Health Commission and CQHCWC, as well as project directors from the four pilot programs in Wanzhou district, Yongchuan district, Bishan district and Wushan county.

Addressing the launch ceremony, President Zhang Hua of CQHCWC promoted the importance of newborn screening for CHD from three perspectives: clinical promotion, hospital management and social benefits.

Zheng Xiangpeng, an official from the maternal and child health service office of the Chongqing Municipal Health Commission, put forward four requirements for the screening of newborn CHD, including standardizing work, controlling quality regularly, focusing on health education and paying attention to information management.

Representatives from the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and CQHCWC also offered classes during the meeting, explaining screening methods and technical specifications of the "dual index method," as well as the main points of diagnosis and treatment of newborn CHD.

Municipal-level managers also introduced the work plan and information management of the pilot projects.

The launch event effectively accelerated the promotion of the pilot projects in districts and counties. It promoted the progress of the city's screening for newborn CHD, marking further efforts to ensure children's health in Chongqing.