BEIJING - A hundred "mobile clinics" donated by the China Health & Medical Development Foundation (CHMDF) have to date benefited over 30 million villagers and herdsman in remote areas of China, according to an announcement by the charity.

The figures were released at a ceremony held on Wednesday to mark the success of the donation scheme, which began in 2006, and involve vehicles fitted with medical kit and designed to be able to reach and operate in isolated areas.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sang Guowei, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, praised this new kind of poverty-eradication program, saying it has "benefited the people in the maximum way," and suggesting the model be adopted nationwide.

Wang Yanfeng, president of the CHMDF, launched the program, known as the "Health China Mobile Hospital", when he learned that it was very difficult for villagers and herdsmen living in remote areas to get access to medical facilities, which are mostly located in cities and towns.

Since then, the foundation has made the donations in collaboration with local governments and the Beijing-headquartered Foton Motor Incorporation, one of the largest auto manufacturers in China, according to Wang.

He said that the 100 specialized vehicles, worth over 80 million yuan ($12.7 million), are each equipped with modern equipment equivalent to a second-class hospital, in accordance with China's national standards.

The first such mobile clinic was put into use in 2007, and since then, these medical vehicles have been patrolling the Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang Uygur and Tibet autonomous regions, Qinghai, Yunnan and Hebei provinces, and Beijing municipality, he said.

The foundation was established in December 2005.