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The Health, Welfare & Food Bureau has announced new arrangements for obstetric services and immigration measures, which ensure local pregnant women are given priority service. The measures restrict non-local woman giving birth in Hong Kong to a level that can be supported by the healthcare system.
Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Patrick Nip said today the Hospital Authority will implement a central booking system for obstetric services. From February 1, all expectant mothers, including Mainland women planning to deliver in Hong Kong, must book with hospitals and undergo antenatal examination.
"The new measures can also deter dangerous behaviour by non-local pregnant women in seeking last-minute hospital admission before delivery through accident and emergency departments," Mr Nip said.
The authority will reserve sufficient places for local women to ensure they have priority over non-locals in booking obstetric services. It will accept bookings by non-locals if extra places are available. Once service capacity is filled, bookings for non-local pregnant women will be stopped.
Better management
Authority Director (Cluster Services) Dr Cheung Wai-lun said the move will help hospitals better manage obstetric services and make appropriate preparations.
From February, the authority will raise the minimum fee of the obstetric package to $39,000 for non-local pregnant women with bookings, and $48,000 for those without. The fee has to be paid in full when the services are booked. Those who pay will get a confirmation certificate.
Dr Cheung said private hospitals offering obstetric services support the new measures. They will similarly issue a confirmation certificate to pregnant women who have secured a booking and paid a deposit for inpatient services.
The authority is planning to expand obstetric services to cope with increasing demand, and will hold a large-scale recruitment exercise January 21.
Tightened checks
Assistant Director of Immigration David Chiu said the Immigration Department will enhance arrival clearance checks for all non-local women who are seven months pregnant.
Expectant mothers suspected to be entering Hong Kong to give birth, will have to produce confirmation certificates issued by hospitals, or be denied entry.
Mr Chiu said doctors will help immigration officers determine pregnant women's health condition.
The department is liaising with its Mainland counterparts on arrangements to repatriate those denied entry. These may be finalised by March.
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