Post-electoral: Maputo Hospital in critical situation

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Post-electoral: Maputo Hospital in critical situation

7:31 CAT | 25 Dec 2024

File photo: RM

The management of Maputo Central Hospital (HCM), the largest in the country, acknowledged today that it is in a “critical moment” due to the post-electoral social unrest preventing the delivery of supplies and the arrival of healthcare professionals.

“We are going through a critical moment at HCM, with a higher number of trauma patients compared to previous years during this period, and a reduced number of healthcare professionals,” said the acting clinical director, Eugénia Macassa. Providing an update for the past 24 hours, she highlighted a current deficit of 200 professionals and teams working nonstop for “48 to 72 hours.”

“This reduction in healthcare staff is due to difficulties in reaching the hospital, so we once again appeal for permission for health workers and ambulances to pass, so we can provide the care that patients arriving at the central hospital need,” she added.

The HCM Emergency Department for adults received 161 patients in the past 24 hours, including 117 trauma cases—double the figure for the same period in 2023—of which 62 were gunshot victims. Two patients succumbed to their injuries upon arrival at the hospital “in critical condition,” amid ongoing clashes between protesters contesting the general election results and the authorities.

With 1,500 beds and 900 patients currently admitted, Eugénia Macassa also noted “serious food supply problems” at the hospital. “Our suppliers cannot reach the hospital. Without their deliveries, we cannot get the food we need to feed our patients,” she acknowledged, warning of the risk that the hospital may stop providing meals if supplies do not arrive soon.

With the operating theater running “nonstop for 24 hours,” Macassa also highlighted the challenge of maintaining blood supplies, with only 111 units (0.45 liters each) available for daily needs that typically require around 100 units outside this time of year.

The Mozambican police recorded 236 “serious acts of violence” in the last 24 hours related to the protests against the election results, including attacks on police stations and prisons that resulted in 21 deaths, the Minister of the Interior announced Tuesday night, pledging an immediate security reinforcement.

“No one can call or consider these criminal acts peaceful protests,” said Minister Pascoal Ronda during a press conference in Maputo, amidst widespread chaos in the country, with barricades, looting, vandalism, and diverse attacks occurring a day after the final results of the October 9 general elections were announced.

Ronda revealed that these 236 incidents across the country included 25 vehicles set on fire, two of which belonged to the Mozambican Police (PRM), 11 police subunits and a penitentiary facility “attacked and vandalized, with 86 prisoners released,” four toll booths burned, three health units vandalized, a central medical warehouse set on fire and vandalized, and ten Frelimo party offices burned.

“These acts resulted in 21 deaths, including two PRM officers, and 25 injuries, with 13 civilians and 12 PRM members among the wounded,” Ronda added, reporting that 78 individuals were detained. The police are investigating the moral and material perpetrators of these crimes, which he described as “difficult” and “dire.”

“Given the severity of the events, the Government of Mozambique has ordered an immediate reinforcement of security measures nationwide, and the Defense and Security Forces [FDS] will intensify their presence at strategic and critical points,” Ronda announced.

The Constitutional Council of Mozambique proclaimed Daniel Chapo, supported by the ruling Frelimo party, as the President-elect with 65.17% of the votes. He succeeds Filipe Nyusi, as Frelimo retained its parliamentary majority in the October 9 general elections.

This announcement triggered chaos across the country, with protests, roadblocks, looting, and confrontations with police attempting to disperse the demonstrators.

Source: Lusa