Gwangju Seo-gu Expands 'Pregnancy and Childbirth Support Program' Starting This Year

Published 04 Feb.2022 16:31(KST)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shin Dong-ho] Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 4th that it will implement pregnancy and childbirth-related projects that will change from this year, such as electric breast pump rental and support for maternity and postpartum care expenses.

As a new project, Seo-gu will start the "Electric Breast Pump Rental Project" to encourage breastfeeding among mothers residing in Seo-gu.

Applications can be made through the website or by phone, and the pump can be picked up in person. The initial rental period is 30 days, and an extension application for one additional time (total 60 days) is also possible.

The "Hope Childbirth Maternity and Postpartum Care Expense Support Project" is a specialized project uniquely conducted only in Seo-gu among the five districts of Gwangju City, partially supporting the costs of services and purchasing necessary items for mothers and newborns.

In addition, to alleviate the economic burden of childbirth and postpartum care, the support target has been expanded from the existing low-income families and general families giving birth to the fourth child or more to low-income families and general families giving birth to the third child or more.

The "Infertile Couple Treatment Expense Support Project" has increased the number of government-supported infertility treatment sessions from the existing 17 times to a total of 21 times (9 fresh embryo transfers, 7 frozen embryo transfers, 5 artificial inseminations), and with the removal of differential payment standards according to the number of treatments, active promotion and support will be provided to those waiting for a new family.

To create a celebratory atmosphere for pregnancy and childbirth for pregnant women and prospective parents, the "MoaMoa Happiness Bundle Support Project," which supports six types of childbirth supplies including a set of underwear worth about 100,000 KRW per newborn and breastfeeding supplies for pregnant women over 16 weeks, will continue to be promoted this year.

A Seo-gu official said, "We will do our best to create a positive social atmosphere regarding pregnancy and childbirth by implementing specific and active policies to overcome the low birthrate problem."