Extending the Reach of Health Services

In mid-March 2009, Zhang Chengmei, 26, watches her premature baby resting in an incubator that UNICEF provided to Qingchuan Maternal and Child Care Centre. UNICEF has delivered lifesaving medical equipment and supplies to the earthquake zone.

Zhang touches her baby`s face, palms, and feet, as a skilled nurse looks on. Within a few days, Zhang will be able to take the newborn home and name her. "Her whole life lies ahead. I hope she accomplishes more than us."

The ruins of a collapsed hospital in Mianyang City of Sichuan Province. The devastating earthquake that hit southwest China`s Sichuan Province on 12 May 2008 left more than 88,000 people dead or missing, nearly 400,000 injured, and 5 million homeless.

In the aftermath of the disaster, UNICEF rushed 86 tons of medical supplies to meet the needs of 1.4 million people for 3 months. On 31 May 2008, some of the health kits were delivered to Dujiangyan of Sichuan Province.

On 31 May 2008, health workers unpack a UNICEF emergency health kit at a temporary hospital in Dujiangyan. The kits have been distributed to 13 counties in Sichuan that were worst affected by the earthquake.

On 31 May 2008, a doctor examines a baby being held by his mother at a temporary hospital established in Dujiangyan of Sichuan Province.

On 31 May 2008, a boy sits in a tent clinic in Dujiangyan of Sichuan Province. Working with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF has provided ambulances, medicine, equipment, and technical support to clinics across the quake zone.

In mid-March 2009, Liu Ju holds her baby in front of the UNICEF-provided ambulance where she gave birth ten days earlier. Her home is about 20 kilometres away from the hospital in Anxian County, Sichuan Province.

In mid-March 2009, a doctor checks a premature baby girl inside a UNICEF-provided incubator at Qingchuan County Maternal and Child Care Centre, Sichuan Province. UNICEF has been working with local health authorities to rehabilitate healthcare services.

In mid-March 2009, a doctor uses a UNICEF-provided foetal heartbeat detector to inspect 8-months-pregnant Zhang Yaping at Qingchuan Maternal and Child Care Centre. Zhang is expecting a new baby, after losing her child in the earthquake.

In mid-March, a doctor measures the height and weight of 4-month-old boy Sun Minguo. Minguo was in critical condition at birth, but doctors saved his life with UNICEF-provided emergency neonatal care equipment. Now, he is a healthy baby.

A doctor checks the development of 45-day-old Gao Jingting at Qingchuan County Maternal and Child Care Centre, Sichuan Province. The baby has been breastfed since birth. UNICEF is supporting local authorities to promote breastfeeding in the quake zone.

Gao Jingting sleeps in her mother's arms after her routine health check. She is 4.5 kg in weight and 53 cm in height. The mother, Feng Li, says her baby loves listening to music.