China pledges to treat all tainted milk-affected babies
16/9/2008 18:06
China's Health Ministry pledges free health care for all babies sickened
after drinking contaminated formula.
Deputy Health Minister, Ma Xiaowei, said
all medical agencies should prepare to treat babies for kidney stones as more
cases could be uncovered as the investigation continues.
He ordered all
public health authorities and medical institutions give priority to the
diagnosis of suspect cases and provide treatment.
"Hospitals should try their
best to meet rising demands for diagnosis and treatment because the number of
parents who take their children for medical check-ups could rise drastically in
the future," Ma told health, finance and food safety officials throughout China
via teleconference today.
All infants who had been fed with Sanlu milk powder
for between three and six months in the past year and have shown symptoms of
kidney stones should be treated with top priority, added Ma.
An estimated
1,253 babies developed kidney stones after drinking the tainted milk powder. Two
died as a result.
China's dairy giant, Sanlu Group, which is at the heart of
the toxic food scandal, apologized to the public for its contaminated milk
powder.
Xinhua
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