Challenges mount as hospital struggles to meet demand
Kabwe, Zambia – Kabwe General Hospital, a key health facility located in the Zambian town of Kabwe, is facing serious challenges due to an influx of patients seeking medical care. The hospital, which is the only major referral hospital in the region, is struggling to cope with growing demand, resulting in long queues, crowded wards and difficulties in providing adequate care .
According to hospital officials, the influx of patients began several weeks ago, following a series of outbreaks and epidemics in the area. Since then, the hospital has been seeing an average of 50 to 60 new patients per day, a significant increase from the usual average of 20 to 30 patients.
“We are struggling to keep up with demand,” said Dr Mwewa Sikazwe, medical director of the hospital. “Our services are overcrowded and we are having difficulty providing adequate medical care to our patients.”
The hospital’s emergency room is particularly overwhelmed, with patients waiting hours, sometimes even days, for treatment. The situation has become so dire that medical staff are having to use makeshift facilities to treat patients, including a tent-like structure set up in the hospital parking lot.
“We are doing our best to manage the situation, but it is becoming more and more difficult,” said Dr Sikazwe. “We need more resources and support to be able to provide the level of care our patients deserve.”
The hospital’s difficulties were exacerbated by a lack of essential medical supplies and equipment. Medical staff have reported a lack of oxygen, medicines and basic medical supplies, making it difficult to provide adequate treatment to patients.
“We rely on donations to survive, but we need a more sustainable solution,” said Dr Sikazwe. “The government and other stakeholders must step in and provide the necessary support to our hospital.”
The situation has also taken a toll on hospital staff, who work long hours and face the added pressure of managing the influx of patients.
“It’s physically and emotionally exhausting,” said nurse Jane Mwepu. “We are doing our best to keep up, but it is becoming more and more difficult. We need more support and resources to be able to properly care for our patients.”
The hospital is calling on the government and other stakeholders to provide emergency assistance, including additional medical personnel, equipment and supplies.
“We urge the government and other stakeholders to take immediate action to address the challenges facing our hospital,” Dr Sikazwe said. “We cannot continue to operate in this environment without the necessary support and resources.”
In the meantime, the hospital encourages patients to seek medical attention elsewhere if possible, or to wait until the current situation improves.
“We appreciate the public’s understanding on this,” Dr Sikazwe said. “We are doing our best to provide the level of care our patients deserve, but we need more support to be able to do this.”
As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how Kabwe General Hospital will be able to cope with the influx of patients and provide the level of care its patients deserve.
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