With several big hospitals in Hubei, Shaanxi and Hunan provinces banning fresh flowers in wards earlier this month, local medical facilities said yesterday that they have no plans to impose such restrictions here.

However, they are suggesting relatives and friends avoid bringing fresh flowers to patients, especially those with respiratory ailments and newborns.

When people send flowers to express their best wishes, they might not realize that pollen in flowers is ideal breeding ground and vehicle for bacteria, which can result in allergic reactions, local doctors said.

Like many hospitals in Britain, medical facilities in the three provinces now keep flowers outside of maternity wards and departments treating respiratory ailments or ear, nose and throat problems. Some hospitals won't even allow fresh flowers in the building.

"So far, we haven't issued any ban on flowers in wards. However, hospitals and doctors can give suggestions to visitors and patients in accordance with the individuals' condition," said Song Guofan, a spokesman for the Shanghai Health Bureau.

Some local hospitals have already started to recommend patients keep flowers out of the wards.

At the Shanghai International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, many fresh flowers are put in the corridor and doctors said both patients and visitors are willing to cooperate with the practice.

"For the sake of patients and their babies, it is better not to leave flowers in wards, especially for newborns and tumor patients. But we never order them to do so and just provide advice," said Dr Chen Daning.

However, not everyone agrees with the health-concern practice.

"It is very popular to bring flowers for a patient. The business is Ok even though the price is higher than other flower stores, since people think it's convenient to buy gifts nearby," said a flower shop owner in front of Shanghai International. "I haven't heard of doctor's restriction on flowers. If so, how can we make a living?"

(Xinhua News Agency September 23, 2003)