Expectant Mothers at Chipata Central Hospital have threatened to discharge themselves from the hospital on accusations of poor service delivery by health workers in the Maternity Ward.
Over 130 irate expectant mothers and guardians claim many infants have died of late due to negligence of hospital staff adding that many expectant women no longer trust the hospital and prefer delivering from their homes.
The anger came about when one of the mothers lost her baby within the hospital premises soon after being discharged.
But Chipata Central Hospital Acting Senior Medical Superintendent Francis Mubanga says the baby in question was born overweight and it was decided that it is kept in for observation in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ICU.
However, the family decided to leave with the baby as they felt it was in good health.
The baby died at the mother’s shelter while the mother was still arranging transport.
Dr. Mubanga has acknowledged reports of the bad attitude of some health staff and pledged to deal with any such officers.
The Mothers Shelter at Chipata Central Hospital has a capacity of 40-bed spaces, but it is overcrowded with over 130 expectant mothers.
By Samuel Khwawe