Changing hospitals isn't just a burden on people giving birth. There are probably many people choosing metropolitan government-run hospitals for cost reasons.

A 32-year-old woman from Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward, who is nine months pregnant and has been asked to transfer from Hiroo Hospital to a private institution to give birth. The decision to turn Tokyo Metropolitan Hiroo Hospital into a COVID-19 treatment center has caused consternation for around 200 women who were scheduled to give birth there and are now forced to find other medical institutions for delivery.

© Mainichi Shimbun