Free genetic screenings benefit expectant mothers
China Daily
3rd March 2026
Free genetic screenings benefit expectant mothers
By Yuan Hui and Chen Meiling
A government-funded screening program is helping families in the city of Ordos, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, identify potential health risks long before a child is born, or even conceived.
The free package, valued at 4,286 yuan ($622.7), includes genetic screening before pregnancy, prenatal testing, newborn disease screening and follow-up health checks for children up to the age of 6. By expanding prevention measures across the entire early life cycle, the city is shifting its healthcare focus from treating illness to preventing it.
While many other cities in China offer similar services, Ordos is pioneering in the breadth of screening categories, the scale of government financing and the number of beneficiaries.
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