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RFM MATERNITY WARD SHUT DOWN

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MANZINI – Expectant mothers are faced with the daunting task of travelling to nearest hospitals for delivery, as the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital Maternity Ward has been closed indefinitely.


The maternity ward is currently undergoing renovations after it was announced that the wards were in a deplorable state and the ceilings were collapsing, as they were old. Information gathered is that the purpose of the renovations was to create a bigger and more upgraded facility.


This publication received reports that due to the closure of the maternity ward in the country’s biggest referral hospital, some pregnant women had resorted to home deliveries after learning about the crisis.


Renovations


Most members of the public were not aware that the maternity ward was currently non-functional due to the ongoing renovations.
A notice was issued in October, which stated that the hospital was scaling down in services received at the labour ward, maternity ward and neonatal wards due to renovations. However, it was not stated that the wards would be completely closed.


“RFM Hospital labour ward, maternity and neonatal wards will be operating at reduced capacity from Monday October 29, 2018, to allow minor renovation works to be done. It is anticipated that the renovation work will last for a maximum of one calendar month if uninterrupted. The public is advised to utilise other health facilities for the whole duration of the renovation works,” the notice read.


RFM Hospital Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Simelane said only emergency deliveries and services would be provided at those units during the renovation of the wards.


Information gathered was that there was only a small space with one bed, which was used for special emergencies and the rest of expectant mothers were referred to nearest hospitals, which were mainly Mbabane and Mankayane Government Hospitals. “Eswatini Nazarene Health Institution’s management would like to express its regrets for the inconvenience caused by the situation, and is looking forward to providing services in a better environment at the end of the renovation works,” Simelane said.


Most pregnant women said they felt the inconvenience, as they were not aware of the closure of the wards. Mary Groening (31) of Ekukhanyeni, said she went to the hospital during the night over the weekend and had hired a taxi.
She said upon arrival there, she was informed of the latest developments and told to travel to either Mbabane or Mankayane for delivery.

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