Chapter 1346 - 847: Somewhat Heavy News

"Non-marital birth registration?"

Du Heng gently furrowed his brow, his eyes flickering slightly.

He was aware of this issue; before departing for Jinzhou, he had discussed this topic with Wang Pan and his school colleagues.

But now, he wasn't keen to discuss this topic anymore.

He then chuckled softly and said, "Why is Dean Lu asking about this? It doesn't concern us here in Jinzhou, does it?

As far as I know, this is just a local regulation from a neighboring province."

Lu Guangying sighed slightly, "Nationwide, the birth rate has significantly dropped, causing headaches everywhere.

Seeing that the neighboring areas have already taken concrete actions, we've started having some ideas as well.

But currently, we're gathering opinions to assess the feasibility of this plan or find a better way."

Du Heng let out a heavy sigh through his nostrils, shifting uncomfortably on the sofa, "Like I've said before, we're just a Maternal and Child Hospital; we should just focus on delivering babies.

We're not professionals in these matters, so there's no need to make any statements."

Lu Guangying sensed that Du Heng was subtly suggesting to mind his own business and not get involved.

Yet, this matter indeed closely relates to the work under his jurisdiction.

Reluctantly, Lu Guangying continued, "We just need to ensure the proper execution of our birthing duties, treating all pregnant women who come in to give birth with equal care.

But old... Du, you know that married women receive birth subsidies and accidental birth insurance during childbirth, benefits that non-marital births don't receive.

Thus, our suggestions and data mainly focus on this aspect."

Du Heng chuckled and shook his head, looking at Lu Guangying, "Dean Lu, you're a veteran at the hospital, aren't these issues clear to you?

Does our hospital receive over 500 non-marital births every year?"

Lu Guangying's face showed a hint of unease but quickly reassuredly said, "No, not even a hundred come in.

But the 'midway-guest' who choose to take the Green Channel, gets close to 20,000.

If this method works, the percentage of midway-guests should decrease significantly, right?"

Du Heng laughed again, with a hint of sarcasm, "Let me ask you, did these pregnant women who took the Green Channel do so because they couldn't register? How high is this rate?"

Lu Guangying opened his mouth but soon closed it without saying a word.

Du Heng leaned against the sofa, taking a deep breath and said, "Before I left, there was a report stating that 99.9% of non-marital pregnancies were unintentional incidents.

Are you hoping that an unintended result could reduce the rate of midway-guests? Is that realistic?

If it's an accidental result, do you think an unmarried woman would willingly become a single mother?

If they were willing, then abandoned babies wouldn't be so many in our hospital's toilet, and welfare centers and orphanages wouldn't have such a large population."

Du Heng looked directly at Lu Guangying and laid out the issue, "And those who truly need non-marital birth registration are just the remaining 0.1%.

Among this 0.1%, there are posthumous children, women with physical reasons unable to choose midway-guest, those wanting to save their lovers due to love or leave a child for revenge against their ex, and illegitimate children.

But among these situations, the first two have social relief plans and don't need our concern."

Lu Guangying lowered her eyebrows in thought, while Du Heng sighed softly and, after glancing at Wu Shengnan and others, said in a quieter voice, "Whether this method can increase the number of newborns, I'm not sure, as I haven't done any investigations or statistics on this. What I'm saying is just my personal opinion.

But what I'm most afraid of is that if this method is implemented, it might affect the existing monogamous marriage system.

And there's one more..."

Du Heng hesitated to continue but restrained himself.

This, however, made Lu Guangying curious, prompting her to softly ask, "What else? Old... Dean Du, we're all in this together, feel free to express it, I won't spread it."

Du Heng became silent for a long time before uttering two words, "Ethics."

Instantly, Lu Guangying's eyes widened in surprise.

Others might not know, but as a doctor and dean of a Maternal and Child Hospital, she knew more than others.

Thus, the issue Du Heng brought up was indeed important but often overlooked.

Although Lu Guangying wanted to continue the conversation, Du Heng replied with a smile, "Dean Lu, my child has just stabilized, I need to conduct a check-up on her. Let's find another time to talk."

Hearing Du Heng's clear indication to conclude the conversation, Lu Guangying reluctantly swallowed her words and left the hospital room.

Du Heng also turned his attention away from the issue and proceeded to check on his daughter.

Little Xuanxuan's condition had improved considerably since the early morning.

Though she still appeared uncomfortable, crying frequently, she was full of energy.

The source of her discomfort was the densely covered erythema over her body.