Hospital security costs top $700m annually

The Health Ministry has revealed that it's spending more than $700 million to secure the country's hospitals and public health facilities. 

It says more than $727 million was spent on security last year. The cost does not include expenditure on burglar bars, cameras and other electronic security devices.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry also revealed that hospitals treated close to 5,000 trauma cases between January and April this year. 

This comprised more than 500 stab wounds; close to 280 gun shot wounds and 3,944 injuries due to road crashes. 

Most of the trauma cases were treated at facilities under the supervision of the Western Regional Health Authority.