BEIJING: A couple in southern China who recently welcomed the birth of quadruplets, adding to their two daughters, received harsh criticism when they appealed for financial help.
The wife, surnamed Li, gave birth to four baby girls on Aug 23 at Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital in Guangdong province, the local television station reported.
She and her husband, surnamed Chen, already have two daughters. The quadruplets were sent to intensive care because they were born a month early.
Doctors said they would need to stay there for at least a month, which would cost about 200,000 yuan (US$28,000).
According to the father, the couple must pay immediately, then after the babies are discharged from the hospital he can apply for a reimbursement from the social security authority in his hometown.
It is expected that the authority will cover 80 per cent of the medical bill.
“But I don’t have 200,000 yuan. I am an ordinary employee with a meagre income. I feel helpless. I hope society will help us,” Chen said.
“I am happy for the birth of my quadruplet babies, but I am also concerned. How can we raise them?”
The mother said she was recovering well from the labour.
“I am excited about my new babies. The only problem is the financial burden in the future,” she said.
Li said she was told she was carrying four embryos when she was two months pregnant.
She said doctors had asked if they wanted to reduce some embryos, but they said they wanted to keep them all and had given the decision their “full consideration”.
Chen said he and his wife worked for the same company in Shenzhen, and their combined income was 10,000 yuan (US$1,400) a month. But after giving birth, his wife had to quit her job to take care of the babies.
“So there will be plenty of expenses in terms of child care. It will be a huge pressure for my family,” Chen said.
“I hope those good-hearted people can give us some help. I have no other choice.”
An official from the Shenzhen Women’s Federation said they can apply for the Woman and Child Aid Fund which will offer them 2,000 yuan (US$280) a year.
The news of the family’s dilemma trended online and was viewed 10 million times on Douyin alone.
It soon became the talk of the nation, with many people not sympathising with the couple.
“They are not responsible. If they are aware they could not afford it, why did they choose to give birth to all of the quadruplets?” one online observer asked.
“They must feel stretched just raising two children with a gross monthly income of 10,000 yuan living in Shenzhen. What gave them the courage to have more babies?” another said.
“The authorities can offer them big support. It’s a great opportunity to encourage people to have babies, isn’t it?” somebody else wrote.
Some people speculated the couple insisted on having more babies because they wanted a son. Many families in China still follow the tradition of favouring sons over daughters.
The couple did not respond to the allegation. - South China Morning Post
