A new report on the state of maternal and new born health care services has called for the immediate operationalisation of a baby care unit at the University Teaching Hospital.
The report is based on the findings of the survey conducted by the Zambia Medical Association in five public hospitals and 28 public clinics in Lusaka province.
The survey reveals a glaring shortage of midwives in the labour ward at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) which has an average of 60 deliveries per day.
The midwives ratio translates to 1:6, with a shortage of theater nurses averaging three nurses per shift making it impossible to fully optimize the theatre at any time.
The report also indicates that Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital only has six delivery beds despite having a well defined and equipped space for a special baby care unit.
Survey task force Chairperson Dr. Suwile Macha has since appealed to government to urgently address the challenges in health care centers.
And Community, Mother and Child Health Minister Emerine Kabanshi has reaffirmed government’s commitment to the provision of quality health services.
Ms Kabanshi has also commended the Zambia Medical Association for the initiative to conduct the maternal and newborn health care survey.
[QFM]
Most Midwives are waiting to be called back for work after the unfair dismissals.The process by MOH is taking very long. concerned unemployed midwife.
Please train midwives. There are so many school leavers who can do this job.
Pick candidates who already reside in Lusaka to reduce on accommodation problems/cost.
PF did nurses dont kubeba…. 2016 remember who to vote for.