News / Health
Women giving birth on hospital floors
02 Sep 2012 at 11:17hrs | Views
The Harare Central Hospital maternity wing is failing to cope with a huge influx of expecting mothers following the scrapping of maternity fees, with some of the women being forced to give birth on the floor.
The wing can only accommodate 180 people at any given time, but has become overstretched after admissions began averaging 70 per day.
Mothers are now being discharged 24 hours after giving birth as part of efforts to manage the situation.
A matron at the hospital, Mrs Gertrude Pedzisayi, said the women, in some instances, alternate between the floor and the available beds while others resort to lying on benches after giving birth.
"Sometimes our labour ward is full to the extent that we are forced to put some of the women on benches," she said.
"When push comes to shove and we cannot put the patient on the bed because the beds are occupied, we let her give birth on the floor. There will be nothing we can do."
Mrs Pedzisayi said an increasing number of health centres were referring cases to the hospital.
She said although authorities insist on attending to registered patients, statistics indicate the majority of women who give birth at health institution are referrals.
The hospital has no choice but to attend to all those who come through our doors, she added.
"In August, for example, we had 55 registered mothers coming through our doors while 282 patients were referred.
"We are now discharging patients after 24 hours in a bid to create space for more mothers.
"This is problematic in the sense that maternal patients are very fragile and need close monitoring to avoid complications and 24 hours is not long enough. We have no choice, though."
Harare Central Hospital clinical director Mr George Vera said the institution will not turn away patients despite being overstretched.
"There is no way we can send away women who are in labour. As a hospital that exists to serve Zimbabweans, we strive to make the most of the available resources and this means making women give birth on the floor if need be. However, as we improvise, we also make it a point to maintain a sterile environment and deliver the best possible service to the expecting mothers," he said.
In July, the Government scrapped maternity fees at all referral and provincial hospitals as well as clinics as part of efforts to improve maternal and child health care. This has resulted in most previously disadvantaged women flocking to health centres.
The wing can only accommodate 180 people at any given time, but has become overstretched after admissions began averaging 70 per day.
Mothers are now being discharged 24 hours after giving birth as part of efforts to manage the situation.
A matron at the hospital, Mrs Gertrude Pedzisayi, said the women, in some instances, alternate between the floor and the available beds while others resort to lying on benches after giving birth.
"Sometimes our labour ward is full to the extent that we are forced to put some of the women on benches," she said.
"When push comes to shove and we cannot put the patient on the bed because the beds are occupied, we let her give birth on the floor. There will be nothing we can do."
Mrs Pedzisayi said an increasing number of health centres were referring cases to the hospital.
She said although authorities insist on attending to registered patients, statistics indicate the majority of women who give birth at health institution are referrals.
The hospital has no choice but to attend to all those who come through our doors, she added.
"In August, for example, we had 55 registered mothers coming through our doors while 282 patients were referred.
"We are now discharging patients after 24 hours in a bid to create space for more mothers.
"This is problematic in the sense that maternal patients are very fragile and need close monitoring to avoid complications and 24 hours is not long enough. We have no choice, though."
Harare Central Hospital clinical director Mr George Vera said the institution will not turn away patients despite being overstretched.
"There is no way we can send away women who are in labour. As a hospital that exists to serve Zimbabweans, we strive to make the most of the available resources and this means making women give birth on the floor if need be. However, as we improvise, we also make it a point to maintain a sterile environment and deliver the best possible service to the expecting mothers," he said.
In July, the Government scrapped maternity fees at all referral and provincial hospitals as well as clinics as part of efforts to improve maternal and child health care. This has resulted in most previously disadvantaged women flocking to health centres.
Source - SM
