A special insurance fund will go into force in July to cover medical fees and maternity leave for new mothers in Beijing who are urban employees.

It is part of a local regulation for birth insurance, which has been adopted by the Beijing municipal government.

It will cover women who are permanent residents in the capital and work for urban enterprises.

It is the fifth social insurance item to be added in Beijing following endowment, medical, employment and industrial injury coverage.

Under the regulation, enterprises are required to contribute to the fund.

An estimated 1.1 million employed women of childbearing age will be covered.

The fund will be used to pay for medical examinations, deliveries, necessary operations, hospitalization and medicines.

Source: China Daily