Open to mothers due between Sept. 21 and Nov. 30
Siheung has opened its first public postpartum care center, located at 34 Daeya-ro, to support the recovery of families after childbirth. The facility marks the first time the city has taken shared responsibility for the health of new mothers and the safe care of newborns, and reservations are now being accepted ahead of the official opening.
According to the city Tuesday, reservations are open to mothers with due dates between Sept. 21 and Nov. 30. Eligible applicants must be registered residents of Siheung and must either have two or more children or qualify for fee reductions under city ordinance — a category that includes recipients of basic welfare benefits, near-poverty households, single-parent families, veterans, people with disabilities, multicultural families and families recognized for distinguished military service.
Spots will be split evenly, with 50 percent reserved for mothers with multiple children and 50 percent for those eligible for fee reductions. The application window runs Monday through Friday this week.
Reservations can be made online through the Siheung Public Postpartum Care Center website. Fees are 420,000 won ($304) per week and 840,000 won for two weeks.
Going forward, the center plans to open reservations during the last week of each month for mothers whose due dates fall three months out.
The city said the center's opening carries broader significance as a public commitment to supporting families through and beyond childbirth. An opening ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 5 at 10 a.m.
"Through the operation of this public postpartum care center, we will ease the financial burden on families with newborns and provide safer, more professional postpartum care services, further strengthening the city as a place where people want to have and raise children," said Lee Hyeong-jeong, director of the Siheung Public Health Center.
Inquiries can be directed to the birth policy team within the health policy division of the Siheung Public Health Center.
pjh@heraldcorp.com
