JCP calls on Tokyo government to improve obstetrics system

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JCP calls on Tokyo government to improve obstetrics system

The Japanese Communist Party in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly on October 23 requested the metropolitan government to fundamentally improve Tokyo’s obstetric and perinatal care systems.

The JCP action came in the wake of a tragic report made public on the same day that a pregnant woman was turned away by seven hospitals and died after giving birth early this month. The baby was born by Caesarean at Bokuto Metropolitan Hospital, about one hour after she was turned away by the same hospital.

JCP representatives pointed out that the Bokuto Hospital, designated by the metropolitan government as one of Tokyo’s nine perinatal centers to take care of pregnant mothers and immature babies, is a lifeline of residents of eastern Tokyo who do not have access to many obstetric facilities.

They said that the metropolitan government should have more obstetricians at the hospital and cancel the plan to close three public children’s hospitals and a perinatal center in the Toshima Hospital.

The recent tragedy has again called into question the national government policy of reducing medical costs and decreasing the number of doctors.

The Bokuto Hospital says that due to the shortage of obstetricians, since 2006, it has reduced the admission of pregnant women except patients for delivery in critical condition and that since July 1 this year, it has accepted only high risk pregnant women.

Many obstetricians throughout Japan are forced to work shifts as long as 32 hours. After working from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., they often have to continue to work on the night shift and again on the day shift of the next day. - Akahata, October 23, 2008