With health and education at the core of its efforts, the government will provide assistance to children from rural impoverished families starting from their birth until they finish compulsory education, a statement released by the State Council, China's cabinet, revealed on November 19.

A national plan to promote the development of children in poverty-stricken areas was approved at a State Council meeting that day, which emphasized on the accessibility of free neonatal screening services for newborns.

With higher medical insurance compensation, pregnant women in rural areas will be encouraged to seek out prenatal checkups and diagnosis as well as hospital delivery care, according to the plan.

Rural children from impoverished areas with serious diseases such as leukemia will receive more compensation from the national medical insurance program. The government will also pilot nutrition improvement education for infants and children in poverty, the document added.