Maternity ward bed usage in Johor hospitals still under control, says exco man

JOHOR BARU: Over 70% of beds in all 11 government hospital maternity wards across Johor have been occupied, says state health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon(pic).

He said that there are a total of 521 obstetric beds and 82 beds for labour throughout government hospitals in the state.

“The situation in Johor is still under control. The occupancy rate of beds in government hospital maternity wards currently stands at 71%.

“However, for the six specialist hospitals in the state, the occupancy rate is between 83% and 127%.

"This is based on the number of beds available at these hospitals, which is from 30 to 126 beds,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (Sept 28).

Earlier, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff said there is a shortage of beds in maternity wards at government hospitals.

She said her ministry viewed the matter seriously and would bring it up with the Health Ministry.

The six specialist hospitals are Hospital Sultanah Aminah Hospital and Hospital Sultan Ismail in Johor Baru, Hospital Kluang, Hospital Muar, Hospital Segamat, and Hospital Sultanah Nora Ismail in Batu Pahat.

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He noted that the Health Department has taken several measures to manage the situation.

“These include adding more beds in obstetrics wards as well as placing patients in other wards, such as the gynaecology ward.

“In some cases where both mother and baby are healthy, we will allow them to be discharged early but at least after six hours of observation following delivery,” he said.