What could be more joyous for a mother than to gently lean forward, with her hands in protective positioning, gazing at her newborn baby, that she carried for nine months, sleeping peacefully right after birth. Joyous indeed.
This was the case for Elsie Teinoda, who gave birth to her first- born baby son Elrisa at 7am this morning (18th Oct) at the National Referral Hospital. What made the moment much more special at least for the management and staff of NRH was the fact that both were the first to use the newly constructed post-natal ward extension with 7 additional beds.
Ms. Teinoda expressed some sense of satisfactory with the new space. “I like it here it’s quiet, feels fresh, clean and tidy and with the very supportive nurses around, I feel very safe here while my baby and i await the doctor to do the follow up check”, she said with a smile.
Just next to her bed is Barbara Gillian, another mother who also gave birth to her fourth child this morning. Both Elsie and Barbara are from Isabel province and coincidently also from the same part of Isabel, Maringe.
In their conversation, both said that many mothers who will come after them would love this cute little cosy space like they are enjoying themselves.
The post – natal ward extension at NRH is necessary with high numbers of deliveries the additional beds and space will ensure proper placement and comfort accorded to mothers and their babies after birth.
“In one day between 16-25 babies are born at the NRH, in a month around 450 to 500 and per year 5000 to 5500 babies. All four of our wards under the Obstetrics and Genecology Department of NRH are many a times jammed packed with mothers and new born babies therefore a huge thanks to the NRH management for selecting our department for the extension opportunity”, stated Dr Leeanne Panisi. Dr Panisi is the Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (O&G) and Head of the (O&G) Department at NRH which looks after post natal ward.
Dr George Malefoasi during the low key opening of the post-natal extension further highlighted that the increasing demand of NRH services.
“Already 9 months this year and we have already admitted 13,023 patients. This is already 92 percent of the overall average for 12 months for the years, 2015 to 2020. 43 percent of these admittance are for O&G wards alone. This is huge therefore; we have decided to provide the extension space and additional 7 beds to the O&G department. Small steps towards overall goal of ensuring we have enough beds for our patients”, stated Dr Malefoasi.
The CEO highlighted that as per the NRH business plan 2022 onwards, plan is to reach 104 beds for maternal health services. Since January, there have been increases with the bed capacity. “In January 62 beds, in the month of June 2021, it increased to 78 beds and the month of October the 7 additional beds increased the bed capacity to 85. We are anticipating in the next 6 months that It will reach 93 beds, with additional 30 beds for antenatal and gynaecology beds”, said Dr Malefoasi.
-MHMS Press