Health officials in Kitgum district have called on the government to upgrade the maternity ward at Kitgum general Hospital saying the ward is small and cannot accommodate the growing numbers of expectant mothers who deliver at the facility.
Ms Rose Mary Ayaa, the acting principal nursing officer at the facility told Acholi Times in an interview on Friday last week that the hospital’s maternity ward that was meant to accommodate 14 expectant mothers now accommodates more than 30 mothers.
“We have an overwhelming number of mothers delivering at this facility, yet there is limited space to admit them. Many of those who deliver here end up using the floor because there are only 14 beds for admission,”
She added that the facility that was built in 1938 at a time the population was low currently admits twice the numbers of expectant mothers which is greatly hindering service delivery.
“It’s unfair for these mothers who have just given birth to sleep on the floor, they put the lives of their babies at risk because by the time they recuperate and go back home, they end up acquiring infections,” says Ms Ayaa.
“We want this facility to be uplifted into a regional referral Hospital and the structures refurbished to accommodate the population it currently handles, adds Ms Ayaa.
Ms Jennifer Atto, who gave birth at the facility and currently being admitted at maternity ward but sleeping on the floor, said she, is scared of contracting diseases as the ward is too congested.
“Sometimes the floor of the maternity ward is littered with dirt especially after a heavy down pour. This puts the life of my baby and mine at risk,” said Ms Atto.
LCV Chairperson Kitgum district, Mr Luka Nyeko said he was aware of the situation at the hospital.
He however said that the district recently forwarded the complaint to the government to upgrade the facility into a regional referral hospital.
“The hospital is handling patients from Pader, Lamwo, Agago, Kotido, Kabong and others from South Sudan. This has greatly affected work at the facility since the structures are not meant to accommodate such huge numbers,” says Mr Nyeko.
He added that because of the high numbers of patients, the facility has been having drug shortages since the drugs meant for patients in the district ends being are shared with patients from neighboring districts.