Beijing to launch pilot initiatives to support childbearing and childcare

Beijing is launching pilot initiatives to support childbearing and childcare as part of efforts to establish a fertility-friendly city and trial more fertility-friendly communities, according to a senior official.

"Last year, the city allocated up to 1 billion yuan ($145.4 million) in childcare subsidies for up to 328,000 newborns aged from infancy to three years," said Liu Juncai, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and director of the Beijing Health Commission. "This year, we are intensifying these efforts."

The subsidy provides 3,600 yuan per child annually for three years.

The initiative is part of 67 new policies and measures introduced by the city to create a more fertility-friendly society and elevate childcare to new heights.

In another development, Beijing plans to transform 15 hospitals into fertility-friendly institutions.

The city also plans to integrate more community-based hospitals with leading medical centers to enhance pediatric diagnostic and treatment services, thereby increasing the availability of pediatric care at the grassroots level.

"We are advancing plans to improve prevention and treatment capabilities for pregnancy and birth defects to enhance services throughout the entire childbirth process," Liu added.

Since Jan 31, Beijing Children's Hospital and the Capital Institute of Pediatrics have begun offering online consultations for child growth and development, pediatric nutrition, and pediatric dermatology, along with follow-up services after initial trials.

According to Liu, this approach has effectively reduced medical costs for patients from outside Beijing and has received positive feedback from the community, with initial results showing promise.