Moderated increases in antenatal and birth delivery charges at Conde S. Januário Hospital for certain groups of non-resident workers

The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng, speaks to reporters.

The Government plans to modify the rate at which increased fees will be levied on certain categories of expectant mothers who are non-resident workers and that wish to use antenatal and birth delivery services at the Conde S. Januário Hospital.

The fee increases to be moderated – compared to an earlier proposal – relate to charges due to be levied on those non-resident workers that are proven to face financial difficulty: for example, domestic helpers who generally fall below the average income of other non-resident workers, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng, said on Monday (19 March).

New charges for a natural birth at the Conde S. Januário Hospital involving a non-resident worker with proof of financial difficulty would be adjusted to 2,925 patacas, from a previously-suggested 8,775 patacas; deliveries via Caesarean section would be adjusted to 5,850 patacas from a previously-suggested 17,550 patacas.

Non-resident workers in financial difficulties would have to apply to the Health Bureau and the Social Welfare Bureau in order to enjoy the moderated increases in charge, Mr Tam added. Details would be announced in due course.

The Government made the decision after meeting with a number of local associations for domestic workers, Mr Tam said. Moderating in certain cases the rate of proposed increase in charges aimed to encourage non-resident workers to continue contributing to Macao’s social progress and the harmony of the community.

The previously-proposed, higher increases in antenatal and birth delivery charges for other groups of non-resident workers and tourists (in cases where neither of the parents-to-be is a Macao resident) would remain the policy.

Expectant mothers holding a Macao resident identity card or wives of Macao residents who are not themselves residents will not be subject to the new charges.

The Health Bureau had proposed updates to Conde S. Januário Hospital’s charges for antenatal and delivery services – the first such adjustments in nearly 20 years – in order to allocate more resources to services for locals.

The Conde S. Januário Hospital every year provides birth services for on average approximately 200 expectant mothers who are non-resident workers. This accounted for about eight percent of all the pregnant women served by the hospital.