In rural Jing'an County, Jiangxi Province, a decades-long battle against cervical cancer offers hope for women's healthcare reform. Once grappling with mortality rates 3.13 times higher than China's average in the 1970s, the region has become a blueprint for prevention through its groundbreaking screening program.
From Crisis to Model
Annual mass screenings introduced in Jing'an detected precancerous lesions early, coupled with accessible treatment protocols. Local health authorities report a 40% decline in cervical cancer cases over the past decade, with mortality rates dropping to match national averages.
NPC Proposal Goes National
Deputy Hu Xiaoqing's newly submitted National People's Congress proposal draws directly from Jing'an's success. During pre-session research, she uncovered grassroots innovation – including a 2000s-era village official who tended neighbors' farms to free up women for screenings.
Rural Healthcare Equity in Focus
With over 60% of cervical cancer deaths occurring in developing regions, advocates argue scalable models like Jing'an's could prevent 62 million global deaths by 2040. Next-phase plans prioritize AI-powered mobile screening units and vaccine partnerships.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
