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China Population Crisis: In a country where ever increasing population had become such a problem that the government had to impose rules and regulations in the personal decisions of the people. People were clearly told to have only one child, but now the situation is such that the government is asking couples to take money from us, but to have one child.
Population Crisis: While increasing population remains a problem in India, birth rate remains a challenge in China. Here people are being told the methods of family planning, whereas there the situation is such that the government itself is making it easier for people to have a child. Taking a big step in this direction, China has announced that by 2026, normal delivery will be made almost completely free under the National Health Insurance. Its objective is to reduce the financial burden on families and increase the birth rate.
In a recent national health conference, it was told that couples should not be afraid of the expenses incurred due to the birth of children because the government will provide them this facility. If there is a normal delivery, the entire expense will be covered by insurance, so that the families are not left out of pocket. However, this facility will be limited only to general government services. The cost of expensive hospitals or medicines and items outside the insurance list will not be included in this.
What is the zero expense plan for the birth of children?
This system is already implemented in 7 provinces of China including Shandong. Zhao Chunmei, vice president of a women’s and children’s hospital in Jinan city of Shandong, said women there have to spend less than 1,000 yuan for a normal delivery under employee maternity insurance. The government is now planning to include freelance, migrants and people doing new types of employment in maternity insurance. Along with this, the scope of testing during pregnancy will also be increased.
Such a scheme has been brought before also
In July this year, China launched a childcare subsidy scheme. Under this, an annual assistance of 3,600 yuan will be given to every child below 3 years of age, which will be applicable from January 1, 2025. This will benefit more than 2 crore families every year. Apart from this, China has also started making pre-school education free. Fees for the last year of kindergarten have been waived off, which will save families huge expenses.
Why is such a scheme being brought?
The birth rate in China has remained low for the last several years. The population of the country has started decreasing from the year 2022, although the total population is still around 140 crores, but most of the population is elderly. For this reason the government is continuously bringing new policies. The government has also included fertility treatments like IVF and painless delivery in some areas under insurance. People’s reactions are also coming on these policies. Many are calling for financial help as well as more action on work-family balance and child care. In such a situation, the government believes that only by reducing the burden of birth, upbringing and education of children, people will be ready to produce more children.
