Fear over possible increase in infant, maternal mortality in Central Hospital, Warri - Investigation

Infant and maternal mortality are likely to increase in Central Hospital, Warri as a result of what Our Correspondent who recently did undercover investigation at the hospital, called practice of irregularities by some of the medical personnel in maternity and intensive care units as well as, " their unwarranted demand for money, in what ought to be free maternal and child care services at the hospital."

Our Correspondent reports that the questionable demands include; purchase of drugs, syringes, canulas, NG tubes, gloves and hand sanitizers that are not in the hospital pharmacy and going elsewhere to also buy Jik and Mama Lemon for cleaning the hospital. These items are said to be monetized, if the inpatients and their relatives are willing.

Findings revealed that often times, the demands are made prior to public holidays or during the weekends, when the hospital pharmacy will be out of stock for some of the drugs.

Whenever the inpatients or their relatives ask for explanations, they are allegedly told that the drugs/ cleaning items are used for patients who are rushed to the hospital for emergency cases. Sometimes, the inpatients or their relatives, get response such as," if you can't afford it, go to private hospital, where you will pay more."

It was gathered that as a result of the incessant demands, relatives or caregivers, who cannot cope with the financial stress and unfriendly response, insist on prematurely discharging mother and child, who are yet to completely heal from c-section and pre-term complications.

While it would be necessary to acknowledge that the medical services are reasonably professional and sufficient or fairly free, a few bad eggs in the system, are frustrating the seemingly good efforts of the state government, " in ensuring free maternal care for mother and child."

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