Chiredzi hospital overwhelmed

CHIREDZI General Hospital is reportedly overwhelmed by the increasing number of maternity cases, with some pregnant women forced to sleep on the floor.

The hospital’s maternity ward has a maximum capacity of 67 patients at a given time, but in recent weeks it has been receiving more than 100 expectant mothers.

Government has made it mandatory that all first pregnancies be delivered at a hospital where theatre services are available.

Masvingo Provincial Medical Director Dr Amadeus Shamu said on Wednesday that the problem started last year. “I received a report concerning that problem last year and the Minister (of Health and Child Care) was briefed of the situation when he visited Chiredzi General Hospital last year,” he said.

Dr Shamhu said budget constraints inhibited plans to expand the maternity wing at Chiredzi District Hospital.

“We surely want to have the maternity wing expanded, but the problem is that we have inadequate funds,” he said. “Once we have the money, we will surely address the matter.”

Residents have also urged Chiredzi town council to open a maternity wing at the Chiredzi Polyclinic.

Chiredzi Town Council chairman Councillor Francis Moyo said they had factored in the construction of a maternity wing at the polyclinic, but revenue collected was too little.

“We strongly want to have a maternity wing at the polyclinic, but we don’t have money,” he said.

“Council is owed $3,5 million by rate payers and most of our budgeted projects are yet to kick off due to financial challenges.”