HB children get kindergarten support

Chinese kindergartens and nurseries for children aged 6 and younger will no longer be allowed to deny entry to students simply because they have hepatitis B (HB), according to a proposed new regulation from the Ministry of Health.

The public can offer feedback on the draft rule until Aug 15. It will likely replace the current regulation, which took effect in December 1994 and did not require the institutions to accept children with chronic hepatitis B, a source with the ministry said.

The draft regulation requires the facilities to report to medical authorities and enforce strict sterilization measures if infected children are enrolled.