Mozambique: Central Hospital ready for festive season

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Mozambique: Central Hospital ready for festive season

8:04 CAT | 16 Dec 2019

Photo: O País

Maputo Central Hospital (HCM), the largest health unit in Mozambique, guaranteed on Wednesday that it is prepared to cope with the increased demand for health services during the approaching festive season.

Thus, in addition to the normal shifts of health professionals working over this period, HCM is adding a support team of doctors, nurses and auxiliary staff who will be operating from 22 December to 3 January.

Speaking at a Maputo press conference, the HCM clinical director, Farida Urci, said the support team will strengthen the critical services in the hospital, including the emergency services and intensive care.

“In addition to the human resources, the HCM is prepared in terms of medicines, food and equipment, particularly for the X-ray sector, the laboratory and sterilisation, since these are services without which it would not be possible to attend to patients, especially those suffering from traumas”, said Urci.

At this time of year, she continued, the HCM records an increase in cases of sexual violence against minors, running at an average of three a day. There was also a seasonal increase in traffic accidents, in which children are often the main victims. Urci called for vigilance by parents to protect their children against these menaces.

As for blood, Urci said the HCM currently has a stock of 250 units of blood. But this is not enough to meet the needs of the festive season – indeed, even in normal periods, the hospital consumes an average of 70 units of blood a day.

Health brigades are now undertaking blood donation campaigns in the churches, particularly to boost the stocks of blood required by patients in rare blood groups.

The HCM usually notes an increase in the festive season in cases of diarrhoea and food poisoning. Urci called for greater care in properly cooking food and in washing items that are eaten raw, such as salad vegetables.

She also urged citizens to reduce the risk of malaria by eliminating pools of stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed.

Source: AIM