Zimbabwe’s public hospitals are reportedly turning away pregnant women due to a shortage of various items needed for childbirth.
A memorandum from Harare’s Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals directed to the principal nursing officer, one Mpande from one Mukona revealed that there was a crisis at the institution.
The memorandum, dated 9 June 2022, said the public hospital was facing shortages of surgical items such as bandages and razors, among other things. NewsDay quoted a source as saying:
Pregnant women who are in need of an operation are being sent back home to collect the materials needed, just imagine, because the hospital is saying they have shortages of surgical materials.
However, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals’ acting spokesperson Sincere Shamu denied the claims when contacted for a comment by NewsDay. Shamu said:
We have noted the allegations that pregnant women due for operations at Parirenyatwa are being sent home to collect materials needed for their surgery.
The hospital is making all efforts to make sure all critical consumables required for operations are available.
Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutar is reported to be facing both food and drug challenges.
Meanwhile, the hospital’s medical Superintendent Dorcas Masanga Mutede on Wednesday refused to comment on the matter.