Gwangju-si Public Health Center in Gyeonggi Province Launches First 'Infertility Overcoming Care' Program

The Gwangju City Public Health Center in Gyeonggi announced on the 19th that it has launched the ‘Infertility Overcoming Care’ program for the first time, targeting individuals receiving infertility support.

Gwangju City Public Health Center is implementing the 'Infertility Overcoming Care' program for the first time on the 19th to support individuals facing infertility. Photo by Gyeonggi Gwangju City

This new program provides both Western and Korean medicine-based infertility health management education to those struggling with infertility, along with psychological support through healing horticulture classes led by a horticultural therapist. By participating in the program, participants are expected to share information and experiences related to infertility, rejuvenate their weary spirits, and foster a healthy pregnancy and childbirth environment.

Following the first session of ‘Infertility Overcoming Education’ conducted by infertility experts on the 12th, the second session titled ‘Korean Medicine-Based Pregnancy Secrets Q&A’ was held in collaboration with the Gwangju City Korean Medicine Association. Dr. Lee Jong-hoon, a local specialist recommended by the association, conducted the education based on real cases of successful pregnancy through Korean medicine. Musical actress Hong Ji-min, who has personally experienced and overcome infertility, also participated to share various pregnancy-related information and deliver messages of hope and encouragement to the attendees.

Additionally, as a follow-up program, a healing horticulture session to create ‘My Own Moss Terrarium’ is scheduled for the 26th. All program fees are completely free, and a total of three sessions (three classes per session) will be held this year. Applications for participation in June and September are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and can be submitted through the Health Promotion Division’s Healthy Family Team at the Public Health Center or via the Gwangju City official website.

Jung-ho Cho, director of the Public Health Center, stated, “We prepared this program to provide detailed infertility care services beyond just supporting infertility treatment costs, aiming to offer practical help to families hoping for pregnancy.” He added, “We will continue to operate various programs for infertility patients in the region and work together with the community to overcome infertility.”

Meanwhile, as a new project this year, Gwangju City is offering free support for healthy pregnancy preparation, including ▲ three months’ supply of folic acid supplements for men ▲ health checkups for prospective and newlywed couples ▲ rubella vaccinations for women of childbearing age to prevent birth defects.

Furthermore, to alleviate the financial burden on infertile couples and address low birth rates through childbirth support, plans are underway to start supporting freezing and preservation of reproductive cells expected to cause permanent infertility (up to 300,000 KRW for men, 2,000,000 KRW for women) and to provide financial aid for egg freezing procedures (up to 2,000,000 KRW) starting from April.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.