The government hopes to boost the national birth rate by having gynecology clinics work with hospitals on delivering babies. Taiwan only saw 180,000 babies born in 2018, the lowest number in eight years.
Expectant mothers in Taiwan tend to get checkups at clinics but give birth in a hospital. The government has plans to allow the same doctor from the clinic help a mother give birth at a cooperating hospital. The “open hospital” program is intended to make childbirth more mother-friendly in hopes to boost the fertility rate.
The new policy is scheduled to take effect this year. Some expectant parents think it’s a good idea. Others hope such a move won’t add a burden to hospitals.
The health ministry plans to award clinics a NT$10,000 (US$325) subsidy for each child they deliver in cooperation with a hospital. However, doctors from clinics need to first familiarize themselves with operations at the hospital before handling a delivery.
