Likely Chinese baby boom prompts debate

BEIJING, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Chinese health officials are in a fierce debate over the nation's preparedness for a predicted increase in the number of births, a report says.

The debate comes as many in China pred a substantial increase in the number of births during the astrological Year of the (Golden) Pig, the China Daily reported.

Beijing's health authority recently issued a warning to expectant mothers, suggesting they avoid top hospitals for their health treatment in order to prevent overloading staff.

Beijing Health Bureau official Xiao Xun partially validated that claim, but alleged that Beijing is sufficiently prepared to take on the current birth rate, the report said.

"The difficulty is that many pregnant women only choose a few top hospitals to have physical checks and deliver, while the other hospitals have beds available," she said.

The increased birth rate is expected as 2007's Year of the Pig coincides with gold, leading to the belief that children born during the year will lead carefree lives, the newspaper said.