Congestion at the Maternity Ward of Juaboso Government Hospital in the Western Region is putting a lot of stress on health authorities and workers.
The referral facility in the Juaboso District capital admits over forty sick children a day into a ward of about ten beds.
Child patients are compelled to share one bed though health authorities concede it is not the best practice. The hospital serves more than ten communities in and outside the Juaboso District.
Despite the additional challenge of poor access roads to the facility, the increasing number of referral cases from other facilities results in overcrowding, especially at the maternity ward.
Authorities have had to work hard to prevent, or deal with persistent cases of cross-infection which keep patients and relatives longer than usual at the hospital.
Senior Physician Assistant at the Hospital, Emmanuel Gorkeh Sey complains that the situation has increased Nosocomial infections (hospital-acquired infections).
“Sometimes a mother comes carrying two or more children. One is sick while the others are healthy. But often before the admitted child gets well, the healthy ones unfortunately end up getting infections.
“It is rampant; at least we record three to four cases daily. The seriousness of the case sometimes compels the mother to be also admitted.
“So instead of the mother spending say three days, she spends more than six days at the hospital,” he said.
The hospital also faces challenges with accommodation for nursing mothers, a situation which puts the workers and patients in a tight corner.
Chief of Adwuma, Nana Bennie the second, is spearheading the construction of a 100-bed children ward for the hospital.
He appealed for both government and private support.
Meanwhile, a committee which is leading a campaign for the construction of the children’s ward has cut sod for the building and work is expected to be complete in 12-months.
The District Chief Executive for Juaboso, Kingsley Asoah Apimah expressed worry about the situation and also called for public support.
