Mapo-gu Haetbit Center Maternal and Child Health Project Awarded Seoul Mayor's Prize

Recognized for Establishing a Healthy Maternal and Child Health Foundation and Implementing Policies Addressing Low Birthrate
Praised for ‘Haetbit Center’ Covering Pregnancy to Childbirth and Parenting, and ‘Cheokkeut Center’ Supporting Single Mothers

Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su) was selected as the ‘Best Project’ in both the institution and individual categories at the ‘Mogeunboja Project Meritorious Mayor Commendation’ hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on December 18 last year, receiving the Seoul Metropolitan Mayor’s Award.

Every year, Seoul awards meritorious commendations to institutions and individuals who have actively promoted maternal and child health projects in autonomous districts to improve the health of pregnant women and infants.

Mapo-gu was recognized for its advanced policies in establishing a healthy maternal and child health foundation and addressing the low birthrate issue.

According to resident registration population statistics, the number of births in Mapo-gu in September 2024 was 171, showing an astonishing 23.9% increase compared to the same month last year (138 births).

The ‘Haetbit Center,’ a one-stop integrated health service hub covering all processes from pregnancy preparation to postpartum care, is a representative maternal and child health policy of Mapo-gu, supporting customized health projects centered on the recipients and receiving positive responses.

In particular, Mapo-gu was selected as a target for the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Early Life Health Management Project, providing integrated services including health management for pregnant women and infants, education on childbirth and parenting, mental health care, and social welfare services, along with home-visit nursing services by infant health nurses to support a healthy new start for mothers and children.

Alongside this, the ‘Cheo-kkeut Center,’ which supports unmarried mothers in pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting to prevent them from giving up childbirth due to social prejudice and environmental factors, has also received applause.

At the ‘Cheo-kkeut Center,’ in addition to customized health management through pregnant women registration, comprehensive services tailored to the living environment and economic conditions of the recipients are systematically provided in cooperation with local welfare facilities such as Mapo Aeranwon to support childbirth and parenting for unmarried mothers.

Furthermore, Mapo-gu has created a flower path of about 150㎡ outdoors on the second floor of the Mapo-gu Health Center to support prenatal education for pregnant women who mainly use the Haetbit Center. It has also received high praise for hosting events such as a music concert commemorating Pregnant Women’s Day and parenting lectures to promote a culture considerate of healthy childbirth and pregnant women.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “Pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting are no longer solely the responsibility of one family but a noble task that the local community must advance together,” adding, “Mapo-gu will continue to implement proactive policies to make Mapo a good place to give birth and raise children.”