'Govt Could Do More To Help HK Birth-rate'

DAB lawmaker Nixie Lam says the government could put more effort into helping citizens reproduce, claiming that it takes too long for women to get fertility treatments in the public health system.

During a question and answer session in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, concerns were raised over the high cost of treatments, such as IVF, in the private sector.

Lam, who says she paid over HK$200,000 for IVF treatment and is now 32 weeks pregnant, told RTHK it can take 18 months in the public sector before a couple can even see a doctor.

"In Hong Kong, it's likely that you will be in your mid-30s before you're ready to have a baby," she said. "The timing is basically delayed for women because there is a focus on career, and then finding a partner and getting married. "

"However, a lot of other countries do more to help couples. I think there could be policies to support women to have better flexibility on their decisions, and early education – in their 20s – to have body checks to make sure that their bodies are OK."

Lam said it was "unfortunate" that the government had indicated it wouldn't "intervene" in family planning, adding that for women who seek help with fertility, the public system is too slow to help.

"If you go to a private clinic, you don't have to wait for IVF," she said. "You can meet your doctors immediately. But in public hospitals, you'll have to wait 18 months to see a doctor to begin with. That wait lowers your chance of having a baby. We need to see whether we can cut the lines.

"There are also too many forms and unnecessary data that the government is harvesting, which prolongs the process."

Lam added that more support from employers could help women to consider having children earlier. "Hong Kong women are very career-oriented," she said. "But more flexibility from employers, such as allowing part-time working or helping with childcare facilities, would be useful."