I WRITE in response to the article 'Labour charges' (Sunday Morning Post Magazine, November 20).
In the past, the Tsan Yuk Hospital, like many in Hong Kong, refused to allow husbands to accompany their wives during labour because we did not have the facilities.
But recognising the benefits of the husband's presence, we started preparatory work to change this policy two years ago.
First, all staff had to be convinced of the benefits of such a change. In addition, a video had to be prepared to explain the process of labour to the couples, especially to the prospective fathers.
Health talks for the fathers and physiotherapy classes for couples had to be organised, not to mention alterations to the labour ward.
Since August, husbands have been encouraged to accompany their wives during labour and we have had a favourable response. We recognised the need to prepare parents for childbirth 12 years ago and Tsan Yuk was the first hospital in Hong Kong to invite prospective fathers to free antenatal classes.