Alex Segbefia interacting with the health officials at the 37 Military Hospital
THREE PEOPLE yesterday died at the 37 Military Hospital before they could be treated by health personnel at the emergency unit.
The deceased were said to have been brought in for treatment, however, the health officers were unable to attend to them before they passed away.
The emergency unit of the hospital is overwhelmed with patients as a result of the GMA strike, making it extremely difficult for the overburdened health officers to care for the increasing number of patients.
Brigadier General Ralph Ametepi, commander of the hospital, taking the Minister of Health, Alex Segbefia, round the facility, disclosed that the hospital has reached its maximum capacity with admissions of patients.
He said the emergency unit of the hospital has 20 beds but has to take over 60 patients as at yesterday, with 600 cases being reported at the facility.
Nurses at the unit had no choice but to use chairs, benches and the floor as beds for patients before treating them.
“We are short of beds to the extent that some of the nurses have to use their chairs for patients to be treated,” Brigadier Ametepi said.
The maternity ward which had delivered over 28 babies by noon yesterday was no different, as mattresses were laid on the floor for pregnant women, mothers and their babies because of limited space.
The commanding officer of the hospital said the situation was putting a lot of pressure on the staff who are working overtime.
He, thus, asked for logistics and funding to motivate the staff who sometimes have to work for long hours without eating or resting.
The Police Hospital was no different as it was equally choked with patients, especially at the maternity wards and emergency.
The corridors of the delivery ward were full while mothers had to sit on chairs with their babies at the recovery ward.
Commissioner of Police (COP) Seidu Mohammadu Zakariah, medical director of the hospital, said the situation is under control, adding that the hospital has put up a tent to cater for emergency cases, should there be more.
COP Zakariah asked for more medical consumables to be supplied to augment what the hospital already has in stock.
Mr Segbefia acknowledged the efforts the two hospitals were putting in place to ensure that no patient is turned away.
He said the ministry would ensure that logistics and human resources that are needed by the hospitals would be provided to save lives.
“We would cut the red tape and ensure that majority of the newly trained nurses who are yet to be posted would be sent to these hospitals for now to support the staff. Logistics would also be provided as soon as possible to support the work you are doing,” he told the two heads.
The GMA will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow to discuss the next step to take in their strike action.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri