Health benefit paperwork streamlined for childbirth

Couples in Wuhu, Anhui province, had complained that they had to go through too many registration and certification processes to get public services for pregnancy and neonatal care.

Some documents covered prenatal health examinations, birth registrations and reproductive health services. Others dealt with so-called lying-in women - those resting in bed after childbirth - as well as newborns and young children.

"A total of seven registrations and certifications were required to take advantage of the services, which last until a child is 6 years old," said Zha Zhonghai, deputy director of Wuhu's health and family planning commission. "The process of getting all the papers could take months."