Gokseong-gun, Anyone Can Apply for Maternal and Newborn Health Care Workers

Published 10 Jan.2022 16:38(KST)

Abolition of Income Criteria, Maximum Support Amount Raised to 90%

Gokseong-gun, Anyone Can Apply for Maternal and Newborn Health Care Workers

[Gokseong=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Cha Jongseon] Gokseong-gun, Jeonnam announced on the 10th that from this year, all households, regardless of income, can receive maternal and newborn health care worker services.

A maternal and newborn health care worker refers to a service that dispatches a health care worker to postpartum families to assist the mother's recovery. The health care worker visits the home to provide postpartum care, newborn care, and household support services.

Until last year, the maternal and newborn health care worker support service was provided only to households with a first child whose income was below 150% of the median income, while households with a second child or more received support regardless of income.

However, starting this year, even the first child can receive the service regardless of income in all households.

This shift from selective welfare to universal welfare was made due to the social atmosphere of declining birth rates and population decrease, as well as the high demand and satisfaction among users of the service.

The support amount has also increased. Previously, up to 50% of the out-of-pocket expenses were supported, but from this year, up to 90% of the total service cost can be supported.

However, the support amount varies according to income.

A county official stated, “To receive the service, the mother or spouse must apply at the maternal address health center from 40 days before the expected delivery date until 30 days after delivery, or apply online through Bokjiro. The service usage period is up to 15 days for the first child and up to 20 days for the second child or more, and the service must be used within 60 days from the delivery date.”