RESUSCITATION SERVICE MOBILE UNIT AT KANDANG KERBAU HOSPITAL

Mr S. V. Lingam asked the Minister for Health whether he will consider the addition of a "Mobile Unit", for providing Resuscitation Service, to the present ambulance fleet of the Kandang Kerbau Hospital to give a good and safe Maternity Service and when.

Mr Sia Kah Hui (for the Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, Sir, a Mobile Unit to provide a resuscitation service for the Kandang Kerbau Maternity Hospital was seriously considered towards the end of 1959 but was found not necessary for the following reasons:

One, Singapore being a small island and Kandang Kerbau Hospital not more than 15 miles away from any given point, and what with the excellent road facilities throughout the island, access to the hospital is rapid and easy.

Two, the proportion of women delivering in the hospital is almost 75 per cent of the total deliveries in Singapore. This being the case, it is estimated that at the most about four cases per year of those who deliver outside the Kandang Kerbau Hospital may need the type of service envisaged for the Mobile Unit if set up.

Three, the resources of Kandang Kerbau Hospital itself are limited. It will be preferable to entrain staff for normal hospital work which itself is already severely strained rather than set aside valuable staff just to stand by for occasional calls. To man a 24-hour service, the Mobile Unit will require three teams working in shifts - not to mention those who will have to cover for leave when the staff take their annual leave or emergency leave. The minimum staff required to establish one Mobile Unit would be two medical officers, five nurses, four ambulance drivers and four attendants.