News

Everything You Need To Know About S’pore’s Latest Measures To Boost Birth Rates

Raina Ee

2019-09-09 , 7:00 am

Last Updated on 2019-09-12 , 11:29 am

All the old aunties: Ah girl, when you having kids?

Me: Auntie, where got time? Earn money also not enough time already.

Well, it’s because of this that…

Singapore has the Lowest Birth Rate In 8 Years

If you don’t already know, Singapore’s birth rate seems to be getting lower as the year goes by.

Maybe because of people like me who only think of making money not babies?

In 2018, there are only a total of 39,039 babies born, a 1.5% drop from 2017.

The highest birth rate was recorded at 42,663 births in the year 2012, according to Channel NewsAsia.

The median age for first-time mothers has also increased from 29.7 in 2009 to 30.6 in 2018.

Apparently the constantly decreasing birth rates have got the Government worried, so they have decided to introduce some measures to encourage the citizens to “make more babies”.

No, it’s not to build more small spaces.

IVF Age Limit Removed

On 28 August, it was reported that Singapore will be removing the age limit for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

The age limit of 45 years old for Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) procedures, together with the cap on the number of IVF cycles a woman can undergo, will be removed from 1 Jan 2020.

If you are unclear as to what ART is, Medline Plus explained that it is a procedure used to treat infertility.

On top of that, co-funding for such procedures will also be improved.

Our government so good hor?

Well, of course lah. They want babies mah.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the enhanced co-funding available from 2020:

Government Co-Funding For Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI): Up To $1,000 per cycle for three years of IUI
Government Co-Funding for assisted reproduction technology (ART) treatments: Up to two out of the existing six co-funded ART cycles for women (40 and above)

As for foreigners or permanent resident who are married to a Singaporean, don’t worry! Singapore’s government got your back too!

Depending on whether you’re a Singapore Citizen (SC), Permanent Resident (PR) or Foreigner, your subsidies will be capped at a different amount.

However, do note that to be eligible for IUI co-funding:

One of the spouses must be a Singapore Citizen
Women to be below 40 years old at the start of the cycle
Couple must be assessed at the public assisted reproduction centre.

It’s not just about giving birth; there’s help for what comes after too.

Preschool Subsidies Increased

Many of us would have probably heard of this.

If you’re anyone like me, who keeps complaining about schools being expensive, the Government has heard your cries and will be increasing the subsidy amount.

More good news: These subsidies can be used at all childcare centres.

Subsidies are also only applicable for Singapore citizen children and the fees stated will vary depending on the preschool itself.

All Childhood Vaccinations Subsidized

If you thought that enhanced preschool subsidies are all that the Government is improving, think twice.

The Ministry of Health has also announced on 28 August that all polyclinics vaccinations under National Childhood Immunization Schedule (NCIS) will be subsidized for Singaporeans by the end of 2020.

Subsidies will also be extended to general practitioner clinics under the Community Health Assist Scheme, better known as CHAS.

These are the list of vaccinations in the NCIS.

Those in the yellow and orange boxes are currently not being subsidised.

But once the changes are made by the end of 2020, these vaccinations will be subsidised as well.

More, More, More

Childhood developmental screenings are also said to be subsidized at more than 1,000 CHAS general practitioner clinics!

Mind you – they are currently only subsidised at polyclinics okay?

The application fees for the child’s first passport will also be waived – only for babies born after Jan 1, 2020.

But to have the fees waived off, parents must submit the passport applications online before their child’s first birthday.

Don’t forget ah!

Now go do your duty for Singapore. Go find a small space and make some babies now.