by Alice Evans, Holt managing editor
In faci
ng what is a growing crisis, China’s Health Ministry reported early this week that about 13,000 children have been hospitalized from drinking contaminated milk, with another 40,000 having undergone outpatient treatment.
Jian Chen, Holt International China program director, said that most Holt-supported projects in China use imported formulas that are not on the list of tainted formulas. But some local orphanages may have used tainted formula.
“Throughout China, all orphanages appear to be very active and using all precautions,” she said. “Some orphanages are taking children for ultrasound checks if they were fed one of the tainted formulas, especially if the formula had a large amount of melamine. The government is covering all medical expenses.”
“We know that families are concerned about what may have happened to their children, especially those who have already been matched with a child,” said Jian. “Holt is doing its best to gather information from authorities from orphanages in which we have matched children—and to let our families know.”
