October 23, 2008	Thursday	Shawwal 23, 1429

TOKYO, Oct 22: A woman in Japan suffering a brain haemorrhage while about to give birth died after being turned away by eight hospitals, prompting anger over Japan’s strained medical system.

Ageing Japan has a shortage of doctors and emergency services. The number of obstetricians in particular has fallen, and concerns over medical malpractice suits and long working hours have increased.

Eight hospitals in Tokyo refused to take in the 36-year-old woman earlier this month, citing reasons such as not having enough doctors, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government said on Wednesday.

An hour later, one hospital agreed to take her and carried out a Caesarean section and an operation on her brain. But the woman died three days later, Tokyo said.—Reuters