THIRD CLASS PATIENTS IN KANDANG KERBAU (Inadequate hospital clothing)

Mrs Devan Nair asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that third class patients in the Kandang Kerbau Maternity Hospital are provided with hospital clothing that is so inadequate as to improperly expose portions of their bodies, and if he will give instructions that this state of affairs he remedied as soon as possible.

Mr Sia Kah Hui (for the Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, I have been asked by the Minister to answer. It is not true that patients in Kandang Kerbau Maternity Hospital are being provided with hospital clothing which is inadequate. The clothing provided for female `C' Class patients in this Maternity Hospital are standard type, that is, white bajus and red sarongs, similar to those for other Government hospitals. It is possible, however, that some patients who are not accustomed to wearing sarongs may inadvertently expose themselves on change of posture.

Ambulant patients (i.e., those who can walk on their own) whilst on their way to and from operating theatres or labour wards are provided with kimono-type gowns. Patients on stretchers are clothed in maternity gowns and always covered over by a blanket.

The only time where patients may expose themselves is in the labour ward, i.e., when patients are already in labour. However, in this section, only doctors, nurses or midwives are present. Visitors are not allowed inside the Labour Ward.

Mrs Devan Nair (Moulmein): (In Tamil): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask a supplementary question. The Parliamentary Secretary has said that kimonos are given to those in the wards after surgery. Does he know that some parts of the kimonos have no buttons - open at the back? Some do not have elastic bands. Does it not appear to the Minister that the patients have to hold on to the dress with their hands where-ever there are no buttons? Male attendants laugh at the patients. Is the Minister not aware of this? Will he do something to remedy the situation?

Mr Sia Kah Hui: I think the patients are in a position to look after themselves at that stage. They are not entirely helpless. If the kimono has not got any buttons - I do not know; there may well be cases where the buttons come off in the laundry and they have not been replaced. But I should imagine they will be replaced as soon as they are discovered missing. If the patients will take a little bit of care, I do not think this sort of thing will happen.