Hainan is making significant strides in promoting a childbirth-friendly environment by expanding health insurance coverage to include labor pain relief procedures. This initiative aims to ease the financial burden on expectant mothers and encourage more women to choose pain management during childbirth.
Fu Shunmei, a resident of Hainan, shared her relief after discovering that her labor pain relief expenses at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University were largely covered by insurance. \"Now I only have to pay around 300 yuan (about $42) for what should have cost me 2,000 yuan, a huge saving that really takes the pressure off,\" Fu said.
The First Affiliated Hospital is among the pilot medical institutions in Hainan offering labor pain relief services covered by health insurance. Since the province joined other regions in August to add this procedure to the health insurance reimbursement list, the number of women opting for labor pain relief has doubled, with expectations of further increases.
Ye Yun, a researcher at the Hainan Institute of Medical Security, highlighted the benefits of the expanded coverage. \"The majority of costs incurred during childbirth can be covered by the medical insurance fund. This initiative significantly reduces medical expenses for pregnant women, directly benefiting them,\" Ye explained.
Hainan's efforts are part of a broader national initiative launched in 2018 to promote labor pain relief in pilot hospitals, with some regions beginning to offer insurance reimbursements for the procedure in 2021. In October, the State Council issued a directive outlining targeted measures to improve childbirth support services, expand childcare systems, and foster a birth-friendly social environment. This directive includes the inclusion of suitable labor pain relief and assisted reproductive technology services in the list of medical procedures eligible for insurance reimbursement.
A 2022 study by the National Health Commission revealed that China's adoption rate for labor pain relief was 30 percent, significantly lower than the 80 to 90 percent observed in developed countries. High patient costs, a shortage of anesthetists, and the need for additional hospital staff and resources have been cited as contributing factors.
Ye Yun emphasized the importance of this move, stating, \"The program aims to encourage more patients to choose labor pain relief, reducing postpartum depression, and promoting family harmony to foster a childbirth-friendly society.\" The initiative also calls for hospitals to allocate additional resources to support these services, ensuring that more women can benefit from pain management during childbirth.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
