BEIJING: China on Monday introduced a series of new birth support policies aimed at building a society more conducive to raising children, as the nation confronts profound demographic challenges posed by its rapidly aging population.
A directive from the State Council outlines 13 targeted measures to enhance childbirth support services, expand child care systems, strengthen support in education, housing and employment, and foster a birth-friendly social atmosphere.
People in flexible and new forms of employment and rural migrant workers, who have already participated in the basic medical insurance scheme for urban workers, will be included in the country’s maternity insurance scheme, according to the document.
New mothers and fathers can feel more confident taking time off work, as the document urges local authorities to ensure the implementation of maternity, childbirth reward, paternity and child care leave policies.
A childbirth subsidy system will be established, and the country has pledged to increase related personal income tax reliefs.
Notably, suitable labor pain relief and assisted reproductive technology services will be added to the list of services that qualify for medical insurance reimbursement, according to the document.
The country will also enhance health education for adolescents to prevent unintended pregnancies and improve early-pregnancy and abortion care services. –Agencies
