Regulations amended to streamline approvals

The State Council released a notice on Wednesday to remove and correct some administrative regulations covering areas such as maternity and infant care, and joint-venture operations. The revisions, which took effect on the same day, were part of efforts to further enhance administrative streamlining. According to the revised implementation rules of the Law on Healthcare for Mothers and Children, pregnant women are encouraged to be hospitalized for birth. Medical and health institutions’ operational procedures, including delivery and post-birth, should strictly follow the regulations issued by the National Health and Family Planning Commission to lower the mortality rate among mothers and infants. Proper sterilizing procedures and the prevention of complications induced by delivery are a priority. The new rule covers special cases, such as maternity care at home, saying that pregnant women who cannot afford hospitalization can seek a trained and qualified family member to carry out the delivery, except for those who are expecting a difficult labor. County-level healthcare departments are asked to provide enhanced training, guidance and supervision for home births.