Hong Kong leader John Lee vows to review IVF support for women over 40

Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has vowed to examine whether the government can better support women aged over 40 who are seeking assisted reproductive treatment, while acknowledging that financial incentives alone would not reverse the city’s falling birth rate.

Lee made the pledge during a radio phone-in programme on Thursday, when residents described obstacles to having children, including job insecurity.

Among the callers was a woman surnamed Lee, who said a medical condition and a lengthy recovery had caused her to miss what is considered the optimal childbearing age.

“I will go back and look into this, as it involves professional medical considerations,” Lee said, a day after delivering his latest policy address and unveiling the city’s first five-year plan.