Gwangju Seo-gu Supports Infertile Couples with Treatment Costs and Conducts Prenatal Examinations

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho] Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 27th that it will conduct the ‘Infertile Couples Treatment Expense Support Project’ for infertile couples residing in the district, as well as free prenatal examinations for prospective parents and pregnant women.

The support targets infertile families with an income below 180% of the median income. For in vitro fertilization, fresh embryos can be supported up to 9 times instead of 7, with a maximum of 1.1 million KRW for those under 44 years old. Frozen embryos can be supported up to 7 times instead of 5, with a maximum of 500,000 KRW for those under 44 years old. Artificial insemination can also receive up to 300,000 KRW support up to 5 times.

With the removal of differential payment criteria based on the number of procedures, this is good news for infertile couples experiencing financial burdens.

Those wishing to apply for infertile couples treatment expense support can submit the required documents to Seo-gu Public Health Center or apply online through Government24.

Infertile women who have resided in Gwangju Metropolitan City for more than one year and have exhausted the number of health insurance-covered infertility treatments can also apply for the ‘Gwangju-type Infertile Couples Expanded Support Project’.

In addition, Seo-gu will conduct free prenatal examinations for prospective parents and pregnant women.

The free prenatal examination project aims to promote prepared pregnancies and healthy childbirth by early detection of risk factors through blood tests for prospective parents and pregnant women, enabling prevention and treatment.

The test items for prospective parents include a total of 10 types: rubella antibody (female), hepatitis B antigen/antibody, AIDS, syphilis, blood type, etc. For pregnant women, 9 types of tests excluding rubella antibody are conducted on designated days.

The support targets prospective couples, newlyweds, and pregnant women residing in Seo-gu, who can receive the examination after submitting documents proving eligibility such as ID cards, wedding invitations, or wedding hall contracts.

Test results can be individually checked on the online civil service site, and detailed information can be obtained by contacting the Maternal and Child Health Team of the Health Promotion Division at Seo-gu Public Health Center.

A representative from Seo-gu Public Health Center said, “We hope that the expansion of the treatment expense support project will help infertile couples reduce their financial burden even a little and achieve the pregnancy they desire, contributing to the creation of happy families.”

He added, “We are working hard to prepare pregnancy and childbirth policies that residents can directly feel. Through the resumed free prenatal examinations, we will strive to create an environment where prospective parents and pregnant women can conceive and give birth to healthy and safe children.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho sdhs6751@asiae.co.kr