Q Is it fair to charge mainlanders more for maternity services?
Much has been said against the increasing number of mainland pregnant women giving birth in Hong Kong. The criticisms have been centred upon two concerns - the unfairness to local people in depriving them of speedy access to local hospital maternity services, and imposing on them a steep bill for maternity care and future education and social welfare expenses.
However, I wish to point out the benefits of this development, in economic and national terms, that seem to have been neglected. Hong Kong is experiencing a manpower crisis. Drawing from Japan's experience, the local ageing problem, associated with the low birth rate, may well bring this place to another economic recession in the near future.
Aren't these mainland pregnant women offering us an immediate solution? It makes no difference in financial terms if our intended bigger young generation is to be achieved with the help of our mainland relatives. There is, in fact, an added advantage: their babies will grow up with good connections with the mainland.
There is also a benefit to the country. Hong Kong has been reunited with the mainland for nearly 10 years, but there are still some major discrepancies in the way of life or culture between people on the two sides of the Lo Wu border. Annoyingly, it is still common to hear some Hongkongers calling mainlanders 'uncivilised' and 'unruly', although many of us do not appear less so. The pregnant mothers are going to make a contribution towards national harmony as their babies will grow up with a better understanding and sympathy of the two regions.
Now, what about the unfairness and the steep bill? Simple! It's just a matter of money. It is worthwhile to spend more resources to expand existing hospital maternity services to cater for increased demand. We should not forget that we have just been rescued by the central government from economic bankruptcy. Isn't it too much to complain against something that will serve the interests of our country and those of our own as well?