8.3% of Tokyo emergency cases refused by multiple hospitals

Of 9,414 people in need of emergency treatment in Tokyo in a six-day period in December, 779, or 8.3 percent, were refused admittance by three or more hospitals, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency said Monday.

According to the agency, 60 people were rejected by more than 10 hospitals, while three were refused by more than 23, indicating the emergency medical care system needs to be enhanced even in Tokyo, where it's believed to be the best in Japan.

Hospital refusals of emergency cases have been drawing attention since a pregnant woman in Nara Prefecture was rejected by more than 10 hospitals and lost her unborn baby in 2007.

Tokyo hospitals that turned away the emergency cases in December said their staff were involved in operations or dealing with other patients, or their beds were fully occupied, according to the agency.