More mainland women will risk giving birth in Hong Kong hospital emergency rooms from next year, when the number of maternity beds for non-local mothers in public and private hospitals is capped at 34,400, a family rights group said after the health minister announced birth quotas.
Under the system, 3,400 places at eight public hospitals will be allocated for bookings from non-local women next year, compared to about 10,000 last year.
In the 10 private hospitals - one of which is still in negotiation with the government - bookings from non-locals will be capped at 31,000, down 7 per cent on the 33,000 this year.
Secretary for Food and Health Dr York Chow Yat-ngok said: 'To ease the tremendous pressure on the overall obstetric and neonatal care services, and to ensure that local pregnant women are given priority for services, the public and private medical sectors agreed to set a quota for non-local expectant mothers.'
Lam Tsun-fai of the Mainland-Hong Kong Families Rights Association was disappointed that the government did not offer preference to mainland women with Hong Kong husbands. 'It is so unfair. Our children should have the right of abode here and our wives should be entitled to medical services in Hong Kong,' he said.
Lam said the number of women showing up in emergency rooms when already in labour was likely to rise as a result of the restrictions.
'It is very likely more mainlanders will give birth in emergency rooms. Yes, it is dangerous, but many do not have any other choice.'