The State Council issued a circular to remove and rectify parts of the administrative laws and regulations concerning maternity and infant care, and joint ventures’ operation.

The move is part of the efforts to further facilitate administrative approval streamlining.

According to the revised version of the Maternal Child Healthcare Law, hospitalization is encouraged for childbirth. Medical and health institutions’ operation procedures, including delivery and care after birth, should strictly follow the regulations issued by health departments under the State Council, so as to lower the disease and mortality rate among mothers and infants. Proper sterilizing procedures and prevention of complications induced by delivery are especially required.

The new rule covers special cases, such as maternity care at home. It says that pregnant women who cannot afford hospitalization could seek a trained and qualified family member to carry out the delivery, except for those who are prone to difficult labor.

County-level health departments are asked to provide enhanced training, guidance and supervision for home delivery.

Part of the provisions of the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Law on Sino-Foreign Contractual Joint Ventures also were removed.