Pushing for births: China mandates epidurals to ease labour pain
HONG KONG, June 9 — China said that by the end of this year all tertiary level hospitals must offer epidural anaesthesia during childbirth, a move it said would help promote a 'friendly childbearing environment' for women.
Tertiary hospitals, those with more than 500 beds, must provide epidural anaesthesia services by 2025, while secondary hospitals — those containing more than 100 beds — must provide the services by 2027, China's National Health Commission (NHC) said in a statement last week.
Authorities are struggling to boost birth rates in the world's second largest economy after China's population fell for a third consecutive year in 2024 with experts warning the downturn will worsen in the coming years.
Around 30 per cent of pregnant women in China receive anaesthesia to relieve pain during childbirth, compared with more than 70 per cent in some developed countries, the official China Daily said.
The World Health Organization recommends epidurals for healthy pregnant women requesting pain relief and it is widely utilised in many countries around the world, including France, where around 82 per cent of pregnant women opt to have one, and in the United States and Canada where more than 67 per cent do.
The move will 'improve the comfort level and security of medical services' and 'further enhance people's sense of happiness and promote a friendly childbearing environment,' the NHC said.
A growing number of provinces across China are also beginning to include childbirth anaesthesia costs as part of their medical insurance schemes to encourage more women to have children.
High childcare costs as well as job uncertainty and a slowing economy have discouraged many young Chinese from getting married and starting a family.
In June, health authorities in China's southwestern Sichuan province proposed to extend marriage leave up to 25 days and maternity leave up to 150 days, to help create a 'fertility-friendly society.' — Reuters
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Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Pushing for births: China mandates epidurals to ease labour pain
HONG KONG, June 9 — China said that by the end of this year all tertiary level hospitals must offer epidural anaesthesia during childbirth, a move it said would help promote a 'friendly childbearing environment' for women. Tertiary hospitals, those with more than 500 beds, must provide epidural anaesthesia services by 2025, while secondary hospitals — those containing more than 100 beds — must provide the services by 2027, China's National Health Commission (NHC) said in a statement last week. Authorities are struggling to boost birth rates in the world's second largest economy after China's population fell for a third consecutive year in 2024 with experts warning the downturn will worsen in the coming years. Around 30 per cent of pregnant women in China receive anaesthesia to relieve pain during childbirth, compared with more than 70 per cent in some developed countries, the official China Daily said. The World Health Organization recommends epidurals for healthy pregnant women requesting pain relief and it is widely utilised in many countries around the world, including France, where around 82 per cent of pregnant women opt to have one, and in the United States and Canada where more than 67 per cent do. The move will 'improve the comfort level and security of medical services' and 'further enhance people's sense of happiness and promote a friendly childbearing environment,' the NHC said. A growing number of provinces across China are also beginning to include childbirth anaesthesia costs as part of their medical insurance schemes to encourage more women to have children. High childcare costs as well as job uncertainty and a slowing economy have discouraged many young Chinese from getting married and starting a family. In June, health authorities in China's southwestern Sichuan province proposed to extend marriage leave up to 25 days and maternity leave up to 150 days, to help create a 'fertility-friendly society.' — Reuters
Malay Mail
6 hours ago
- Malay Mail
"2025 Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races" Successfully Concluded in Acclamation
Cancer patients, survivors and their loves ones formed an inaugural dragon boat team Citizens and tourists dive into the Dragon Boat Frenzy Sun Life has 21 teams composed of advisors, employees and partners participate in the 'Sun Life Elite Cup', actively supporting the city's dragon boat racing culture. HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 June 2025 - The "2025 Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races", organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board in collaboration with the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association and proudly title-sponsored by Sun Life, saw the city's waterfront come alive over the weekend as a huge crowd came to enjoy the mix of international competition and cultural tradition, along with a range of other fun annual event attracted numerous citizens to the East Tsim Sha Tsui promenade over the two days (June 7-8) to witness 19 thrilling races in Victoria Harbour that drew over 190 teams and more than 4,500 paddlers from around the world. Among the races, the new "Sun Life Elite Cup" saw enthusiastic participation from 21 teams made up of Sun Life's advisors, employees, and partners, underscoring the company's commitment to preserving and promoting dragon boat its strong commitment to the community, Sun Life has proudly sponsored Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre to form the "Move for Maggie's Dragon Boat Team". Comprised of cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones, the team made an impactful debut at this year's "Sun Life Elite Cup", raising funds to support individuals affected by cancer. Dr. the Hon Leong Che-Hung, GBM, GBS, OBE, JP, Chairman of the Board of Governors at Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre, attended the event to cheer on the inspiring paddlers. Proceeds from the fundraising will enhance the Centre's free support services, while the dragon boat race itself delivers a powerful message of hope and resilience. Through this initiative, participants and supporters alike embrace a positive outlook on living with cancer, inspiring patients and their families to face challenges with renewed courage and hope., said: "As an international financial institution rooted in Hong Kong for over 130 years, our 16-year commitment to local dragon boat racing reflects not only our dedication to sustaining cultural heritage, but also our pledge to grow alongside this city. We are proud that Sun Life has helped propel this tradition onto the global stage, embodying the city's spirit of teamwork and energy. Moving forward, we will continue to support diverse sports initiatives, offering innovative experiences that blend athletics, culture, and entertainment for citizens and tourists, ultimately helping our Clients live healthier lives while also creating societal value."Alongside the main event, Sun Life launched a variety of engaging promotional activities, both online and offline, that attracted widespread participation across the city. A highlight was the "Sun Life Dragon Boat House", a giant interactive installation at K11 MUSEA that became a viral sensation. Through its multi-platform campaign, Sun Life helped deepen public appreciation for this cultural tradition – and encouraged greater participation triumph of the "2025 Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races" reflects the ability of Hong Kong to host world-class events and attract new audiences to an old tradition. It all bodes well for next #SunLife永明 #永明金融 #SunLife #香港國際龍舟邀請賽 #龍舟 #盛事 #盛事之都 #旅發局 #銘琪癌症關顧中心 #HongKongInternationalDragonBoatRaces #dragonboat #megaevent #eventscapital #tourismboard #Maggie'sCanceCaringCentre The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Sun Life Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March 31, 2025, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.55 trillion. For more information, please visit Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF. Sun Life Financial Inc. is the holding company of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada. Sun Life Hong Kong Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada.
Free Malaysia Today
9 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Involve nurses in duty roster to lower burnout, say private hospitals
The Malayan Nurses Union said nurses in public hospitals were already under immense pressure and that an increase in working hours will exacerbate this. PETALING JAYA : The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) has offered its insights on preventing nurses from burning out, as the health ministry moves to implement a 45-hour work week for ward nurses in government hospitals from Aug 1. APHM said private hospitals had structured schedules designed to ensure both effective patient care and staff wellbeing, with nurses typically working between 42 to 45 hours a week, depending on unit and service needs. APHM president Dr Kuljit Singh said the private healthcare sector also involved nurses in scheduling decisions, adding that studies have shown this improved job satisfaction and lowered the burnout rate. Kuljit said private hospitals set up their schedules to ensure 24-hour coverage while allowing nurses adequate rest and time off, as well as accommodating their shift preferences and input into the roster. 'These hours are not arbitrary mandates, but are carefully crafted based on departmental demands, patient acuity and workload to ensure nurses are neither overworked nor underutilised,' he said in a statement. While government hospitals have higher patient loads, Kuljit said they had a significantly larger pool of nursing staff than private hospitals. This comes after the health ministry was given a 'final' two-month extension for the implementation of the 45-hour work week for ward nurses. The Malayan Nurses Union (MNU) protested the decision, saying nurses in public hospitals were already under immense pressure and that an increase in hours will make matters worse. 'In the government sector, nurses work on rotating shifts, that is morning, evening, and night, and the roster is not fixed,' MNU president Saaidah Athman told FMT. 'Schedules often change and sometimes, even when they are on official leave, nurses are called back to work based on the needs of the unit.' Despite the larger pool of nurses in public hospitals, Saaidah said many were already taking on extra duties without additional support, with some even forced to delay going to the toilet because of the number of tasks. 'When on double duty, they assist in patient transfers, support procedures, managing documentation, providing medications, and following doctors on rounds. Sometimes they end up working up to 14 hours a day. 'If a single shift becomes eight hours, double duty becomes 16 hours. There's no shift allowance, no meal allowance, no transport allowance. How can nurses not feel burned out?'
