The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) – Adult Hospital has acknowledged a temporary shortage of bed spaces in male wards due to an unexpected surge in male surgical patients, many of whom are victims of road traffic accidents and other severe injuries.
As a result, some male patients have been placed in female wards as the facility navigates for solutions to the chllanges.
In a statement issued Wednesday, UTH Public Relations Office Mwiza Mwiya clarified that the decision to occasionally place male patients in female wards is a rare and controlled measure taken only to ensure no patient is denied life-saving care.
Ms. Mwiya says while the practice is not standard, it is necessary at times when male wards are full.
She says the affected male patients are accommodated in separate cubicles within female wards, with strict measures in place to maintain privacy, dignity, and safety.
The Health facility has further assured the public that the arrangements are temporary, and that patients will be relocated to designated male wards as soon as space becomes available.
Ms. Mwiya also says the hospital is converting one of its female surgical wards into a male ward to address the imbalance in bed occupancy.
Looking ahead, UTH has expressed optimism about the upcoming 240-bed surgical wing, which will significantly boost capacity once funding for equipped and staffing is secured.
By Cherish Sibote
