…hospital
becomes place for prescriptions only
becomes place for prescriptions only
Elliot Jinjika
CHIVHU – Things are not going on well
at Chivhu General Hospital where power cuts have affected operations and a
severe lack of adequate water has put the lives of patients in further danger.
at Chivhu General Hospital where power cuts have affected operations and a
severe lack of adequate water has put the lives of patients in further danger.
The
hospital is also struggling under a severe shortage of basic equipment and
drugs like syringes and paracetamol.
hospital is also struggling under a severe shortage of basic equipment and
drugs like syringes and paracetamol.
The
hospital serves the whole community of Chivhu and all the resettlement areas
around the small town.
hospital serves the whole community of Chivhu and all the resettlement areas
around the small town.
As a
result of the crisis, many patients are returning home without getting the
required medical help on a daily basis.
result of the crisis, many patients are returning home without getting the
required medical help on a daily basis.
TellZim
News recently paid a visit to the hospital and managed to speak to some patients
who said they were there simply for the sake of it.
News recently paid a visit to the hospital and managed to speak to some patients
who said they were there simply for the sake of it.
“There
are no drugs here and we have been given prescriptions and we need to buy the
medicine on our own. There is no electricity most of the times and all services
have been hindered by power cuts. The X-ray is not in operation, the laboratory
is not working and the theatre too is not working,” said one patient as he
limped home.
are no drugs here and we have been given prescriptions and we need to buy the
medicine on our own. There is no electricity most of the times and all services
have been hindered by power cuts. The X-ray is not in operation, the laboratory
is not working and the theatre too is not working,” said one patient as he
limped home.
An
expectant mother said she had been told by a hospital employee to get help
elsewhere as her chances of dying in labour at the hospital were way higher
than what is ordinary.
expectant mother said she had been told by a hospital employee to get help
elsewhere as her chances of dying in labour at the hospital were way higher
than what is ordinary.
“I
met a hospital employee who advised to get assistance elsewhere because it was
not safe to use the maternity ward here,” said the expectant mother.
met a hospital employee who advised to get assistance elsewhere because it was
not safe to use the maternity ward here,” said the expectant mother.
A
staff member who spoke to TellZim News blamed power cuts, shortage of equipment
and drugs, low levels of morale among employees and lack of adequate water for
the carnage at the hospital.
staff member who spoke to TellZim News blamed power cuts, shortage of equipment
and drugs, low levels of morale among employees and lack of adequate water for
the carnage at the hospital.
“The
lab cannot function without power and most notably the mortuary. The mortuary
needs electricity always hence we are in a complete state of paralysis. The CSSD
department is not properly functioning and activities in the theatre have been
disturbed. We have a solar system but it’s not working properly. Add all that
to the grievances of doctors and nurses and you have a complete catastrophe,”
said the employee.
lab cannot function without power and most notably the mortuary. The mortuary
needs electricity always hence we are in a complete state of paralysis. The CSSD
department is not properly functioning and activities in the theatre have been
disturbed. We have a solar system but it’s not working properly. Add all that
to the grievances of doctors and nurses and you have a complete catastrophe,”
said the employee.
Another
source said the hospital’s solar system contract was awarded to a dubious
company which failed to do the work properly, leading to below normal power
being generated.
source said the hospital’s solar system contract was awarded to a dubious
company which failed to do the work properly, leading to below normal power
being generated.
“The
solar system produces power only for the lights. We heard that had the work been
done properly, we wouldn’t be facing a crisis of this magnitude,” said the
employee.
solar system produces power only for the lights. We heard that had the work been
done properly, we wouldn’t be facing a crisis of this magnitude,” said the
employee.
Chivhu
Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Alice Kanyemba was out of office and could not be
reached for comment.
Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Alice Kanyemba was out of office and could not be
reached for comment.
