|
Survey: Medics giving expectant mothers a raw deal
2008-04-03 08:47:06
By Austin Beyadi
Some hospitals in Dar es Salaam and Coast regions have been turned into business premises as health workers involve themselves in the sale of medical supplies which should otherwise be given free of charge to expectant mothers.
Investigations by this paper have revealed that health workers take undue advantage of services which are supposed to be provided free of charge to pregnant women in the country.
According to investigations conducted in Dar es Salaam and Coast regions, mothers who are entitled to exempted healthcare services are forced to pay for them by municipal workers.
One of the victims of this illegal business, Harriet Nasoro, who gave birth to a male child at Mwananyamala hospital in Dar es Salaam recently, told this reporter that she was forced to buy cotton wool, gloves and syringes, supplies which were supposed to be provided freely.
According to the mother, nurses informed her that the hospital had run short of the equipment.
One of the nurses asked the mother for give her money to purchasing the supplies at a nearby private pharmacy.
The woman gave the nurse 20,000/- for buying necessary delivery-equipment.
Surprisingly, the nurse came back after a few minutes, considering that it was at night.
Soon after delivering, the mother asked the nurse to give her change and a receipt from the dispensary where she went to buy the items.
To the surprise of many, the nurse refused to give her the change and receipt.
``Her action raised a lot of questions in my head as to why she did not take some time to go and buy the itemsand why she declined to give me a receipt for the items,`` she said.
Mwananyamala Hospital Chief Medical Officer Anath Rwebembera admitted that there were a few unethical workers, but promised to launch investigations into the matter and penalize the culprits.
She proposed to the pregnant mothers to attend antenatal clinics where women were educated about the waiver and exemption health care services.
``If women are aware of the system, it is easy for them to question those unfaithful workers whenever they demand money and if possible expose their names so that management could take action,`` she said.
Dr Dafrossa Lyimo, Municipal Medical officer of Health, Ilala Municipal Council echoed the latter remarks and encouraged women to attend antenatal clinics in order to understand well issues about the waiver and exemption fees for pregnant women.
The move would reduce misunderstandings between the nurses and the patients on various health systems.
She underscored the need for cooperation between the hospital management and the patients in exposing health workers involved in bribes-taking and oppression of pregnant mothers.
Temeke Hospital Chief Medical Officer, Suleiman Muttani said that there is more to be done in order to make sure that women are well knowledgeable about the waiver and exemption system.
He said his hospital has set up a system in which pregnant mother can express their concerns to the hospital management and that such practices have not been reported.
Dr Koleheth Winani, Chief Medical Officer of Tumbi Hospital, said the health facility had developed a system to encouraging pregnant mothers to attend antenatal clinic.
Winani said that it is only in those clinics where the women can understand more about waiver and exemptions and advise the management where ever it is necessary.
Rwebembera said that women are exempted from paying the user fee such as registration fee, obstetric operations and other procedures, post delivery services and newborn care.
Pregnant mothers, according to the official, are supposed to show antenatal clinic registration card and number and health service providers inform the mothers about the procedures.
|
