Child mortality rate points to the challenges facing rural healthcare

BEIJING - Almost 300,000 children aged under 5 on the Chinese mainland die every year, with more than 36 percent dying at home with poor access to healthcare, official statistics show.

The Report on Women and Children's Health Development, which was released on Wednesday by the Ministry of Health and is the first of its kind, lists five main causes of child mortality, including premature birth, congenital heart disease and accidental asphyxia.

"China still faces daunting challenges to further reduce the sheer number of child deaths and to better address health equality," said Qin Huaijin, director of maternal and child healthcare for the ministry.