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Government advised to expand Kitgum hospital as mothers lack beds
Women who have delivered attend to their children on the floor of the maternity ward at Kitgum hospital. PHOTO BY JULIUS OCUNGI
Kitgum- Health officials in Kitgum District have urged government to upgrade Kitgum Hospital maternity ward to accommodate the growing number of expectant mothers who deliver from the facility.
Ms Rose Mary Ayaa, the acting principal nursing officer at the hospital, told Daily Monitor last Friday that the ward that was meant for 14 expectant mothers now accommodates more than 30 mothers.
“We have an overwhelming numbers 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,” Ms Ayaa said.
She added that the facility, which was built in 1938 at a time the population was low, currently admits twice the number of expectant mothers which is greatly hindering effective service delivery.
“It is unfair for these mothers who have just given birth to sleep on the floor, they put the lives of their babies at risk, they end up acquiring infections,” Ms Ayaa said.
The health worker added that structures at facility should be refurbished and upgraded to a regional referral hospital.
Ms Jennifer Atto who had just given birth said: “Sometimes the floor of the maternity ward is littered with dirt, especially after a heavy downpour. This puts our lives at risk of contracting diseases related to poor sanitation.”
The LC5 chairperson, Mr Luka Nyeko, said he was aware of the situation at the hospital and that the district recently forwarded the complaint to the government to upgrade the facility to a regional referral hospital.
