Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Department of Health (DH) today (April 7) called on the public to echo World Health Day and work together to safeguard maternal and newborn health and reduce the number of preventable maternal and newborn deaths, by supporting breastfeeding, receiving timely immunisations as well as maternal and child health services.
April 7 each year marks the celebration of World Health Day by the World Health Organization. The theme this year is “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures”, with a focus on maternal and child health. Hong Kong has the longest life expectancy and one of the lowest infant and maternal mortality rates in the world. In 2023, the infant mortality rate was 1.6 per 1 000 live births, and the maternal mortality rate was three per 100 000 live births. These impressive statistics hinge on a public healthcare system that provides comprehensive health and medical services, including quality maternal and child health services, comprehensive obstetric and woman health services, and efforts in promoting breastfeeding.