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 Beijing— A coordinated 3 year effort to assist disabled orphans has provided medical evaluation and treatment to over 15,000 orphans with disabilities. As reported by the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs, the program involved over 270 hospitals across China and utilized over RMB 600 million (US$84 million). Called the “Tomorrow Plan”, the program rendered critically needed medical, surgical and rehabilitative care to thousands of children less than 18 years old.
China has over 570,000 orphans, with a reported 54,000 living in orphanages and other institutions. Approximately 50% of institutionalized orphans suffer from a disability, including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, neurologic, spinal, orthopedic and other developmental disorders.
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 As a result of their successful treatment and rehabilitation, over 5,000 orphans previously in institutions were able to be placed with adopting families. The Cheng Health Foundation is working with its hospital partners in China, including the China Rehabilitation Research Center, to continue this effective and important program.
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