CRC/C/CHN/CO/3-4 Health and health services 62. The Committee welcomes the improvements in immunization rates, as well as the significant reduction in maternal and child mortality in mainland China and the increase of births in hospitals, including in rural areas. However, it is deeply concerned about the persistence of health disparities between urban and rural areas, among migrant children and between and within different regions, particularly in western China. It is further concerned about the gaps in the allocation of health resources between urban and rural areas and the quality of health care for children living in remote and poor areas and children of migrant workers. 63. The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen efforts to address, as matter of urgency, the existing disparities in health outcomes and resource allocations in order to ensure that all children in mainland China enjoy the same access to and quality of health services, paying special attention to children in vulnerable situations, especially children living in poverty and rural areas and children of migrant workers. In particular, it recommends that the State party take all measures to eliminate child and maternal mortality in mainland China, including by improving health infrastructure and the availability of and accessibility to emergency obstetric and neonatal care and skilled birth attendants at primary health facilities in rural and poor areas. 64. The Committee is deeply concerned about the unsafe vaccinations and blood transfusions that have affected thousands of children across mainland China, causing HIV infection, serious illness or disability and deaths. It is further concerned that many of the families of children who died or were seriously affected have not received any redress, that there is an increase in mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS and that children infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS lack free treatment and health care. It also notes with concern the lack of official statistics on the number of children affected in these incidents or on their current situation in mainland China. 65. The Committee is further concerned about the decrease in exclusive breastfeeding and the incidents of contaminated infant formula in mainland China. 66. The Committee strongly recommends that the State party: (a) Intensify its efforts to reform laws and strengthen implementation of regulations on food and health safety standards, including for the business sector, and ensure that any officials or companies violating international and national environment and health standards are appropriately sanctioned and remedies provided when violations occur; (b) Collect systematic data on children affected and take all measures to ensure that all children and their families have access to effective redress, including free medical treatment and adequate compensation; (c) Effectively implement the central Government’s policy of providing HIVinfected children and orphans with free anti-HIV drugs, free schooling and a minimum monthly subsidy of 600 yuan (US$ 95), as reported in its replies to the Committee; (d) Promote exclusive breastfeeding and the establishment of baby-friendly hospitals and effectively enforce the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes with appropriate controls on the marketing of artificial infant formula. Adolescent health 67. The Committee is disturbed by reports of forced sterilization and abortions in mainland China targeting, among others, teenage girls, carried out by local family planning 15