From Pregnancy Preparation to Postpartum Care... Gwangju City Expands Support

Anyone Aged 20 to 49 Can Receive Fertility Examinations Up to Three Times
Increased Number of Infertility Treatment Supports for Couples
Expanded Eligibility for Postpartum Care Assistants
Application Deadline Extended from 30 to 60 Days After Childbirth

Gwangju City is expanding its support this year from the stage of pregnancy preparation to postpartum care in line with the slogan "Making Gwangju a Great Place to Have and Raise Children."

According to the city on the 23rd, policies supporting pregnancy, childbirth, mothers, and newborns will be strengthened this year to address the low birth rate and create a child-friendly environment.

First, the scope of the "Pre-Pregnancy Health Management Support Project" will be expanded. This project, which began last year, provides fertility examination fees to help identify health risk factors related to pregnancy and childbirth at an early stage. Previously, only couples preparing for pregnancy could receive examination support once in their lifetime, but starting this year, any man or woman aged 20 to 49 can receive support for fertility examinations up to three times.

The city has also increased the number of times it supports infertility treatment costs for couples and has introduced the "Gwangju-Type Infertility Treatment Cost Support" for couples who exceed the standard support limit. The number of infertility treatment supports has been expanded from a maximum of 25 times per person to up to 25 times per childbirth. In cases of involuntary procedure interruption due to factors such as empty follicle syndrome, the number of supported attempts will not be deducted.

Additionally, to further ease the burden on infertile couples, the city will continue to provide the "Gwangju-Type Infertility Treatment Cost Support" for those exceeding the limit, support for traditional Korean medicine infertility treatment, and support for assisted reproductive procedures using frozen eggs.

Furthermore, support for postpartum care assistants for mothers and newborns will be expanded to strengthen assistance for families with newborns. This project provides health care assistants to postpartum families to aid in the mother's recovery and newborn care.

Previously, only households with an income at or below 150% of the median, families with a second child or more, mothers or newborns with disabilities, twins, North Korean defectors, and single mothers were eligible for postpartum care assistant support. Starting this year, families with premature babies (early-born infants) will also be included. If the mother wishes, the service level can also be upgraded.

The application period for health care assistant support has been extended from within 30 days after childbirth to within 60 days, and the voucher validity period has been extended from 60 days to 90 days after childbirth, each by 30 days. This is expected to allow mothers and newborns to use the services more stably and flexibly.

Gwangju City will also continue to provide postpartum care cost support and diaper and formula support for low-income families. Applications for pregnancy and childbirth support can be made at the public health center in the applicant's registered district.

Bae Gang-suk, head of the Health and Hygiene Division, said, "Gwangju City will be a strong supporter so that having and raising children can be a source of joy," adding, "We will continue to listen to citizens' voices and expand policies that provide practical help."