Help on way for moms-to-be in overstretched maternity wards

The recruitment of dozens of nurses to ease staff shortages in maternity wards at Nelson Mandela Bay’s public hospitals is set to begin today.

The decision to appoint additional staff to take care of Gqeberha’s mothers-to-be was fast-tracked after Dora Nginza Hospital’s maternity unit was overwhelmed by the number of pregnant women last week who were forced to find space in the corridors.

Images of women lying on floors and slumped on chairs prompted hospital management to move them to the Port Elizabeth Provincial and Uitenhage Provincial hospitals.

Pictures sent to The Herald showed several heavily pregnant women occupying an office.

Hospital insiders said they barged into the chief executive’s office on Thursday and occupied it, demanding to be allocated beds.

However, last week’s situation is nothing new for the hospital’s staff, who say it is a recurring problem due to the sheer number of pregnant women — some from as far away as Graaff-Reinet, Cradock and Port Alfred — seeking assistance from the specialists at the Zwide hospital.

One doctor, who did not want to be named, said patients were suddenly moved on Thursday without warning.

“We’ve literally been kept in the dark by the administration as to what is happening,” the doctor said.

“We were just told suddenly to go and treat patients at PE Provincial and weren’t told what kind of patients they were.

“Dora has its ups and downs, especially when it comes to bed shortages for patients needing to deliver by C-section.

“We’re the only level 2 hospital on the Western side of the province and people come to us because of obstetrics and gynaecology.

“This is nothing new. It happens every year.”

Another Dora Nginza insider said the expectant mothers had spent a night sleeping on chairs and the floor, which had prompted them to occupy the CEO’s office demanding beds.

“The situation right now is back to normal as the hospital opened an overflow ward.

“Things usually get crazy around Thursdays.

“On Thursday, some were sent to Uitenhage and PE Provincial,” the insider said.

Eastern Cape health department spokesperson Yonela Dekeda said 29 patients had been transferred to nearby hospitals under the care of clinical teams.

“The department intervened immediately and took steps to address the situation.

“The department has ensured that all the affected patients received medical care and meals.

“Following a similar situation late last year, the department identified and allocated budgets for staffing and equipment to activate an additional 30-bed maternity ward and theatre to ease the pressure in a sustainable way.

“Despite all those efforts, demand for maternity services in the Bay continues to increase,” she said.

Dekeda said the department was continuing with its efforts to create additional trauma and maternity services at sites such as Empilweni Hospital and PE Provincial Hospital.

She did not immediately respond to questions about the number of nurses being recruited, additional doctors and the budget made available for the recruitment.