Accra: A dire situation is unfolding at the Child Health and Maternal Department of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH), where space constraints are compromising patient care and outcomes. Healthcare workers have therefore sounded the alarm, highlighting the urgent need for more space and resources to address the growing demands of a large population.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs. Afia Ofori-Atakorah, Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer in charge of Child Health and Maternal at CCTH, expressed concerns about the lack of space during a tour of the department with members of the Health Committee of Parliament. The visit was part of a series of oversight visits to health facilities in the country. Mrs. Ofori-Atakorah noted that the current conditions force mothers to stay with their babies 24 hours a day without adequate accommodation.
Mrs. Ofori-Atakorah further highlighted that limited cubicles and equipment exacerbate the situation, revealing critical challenges like insufficient space for effective use of medical equipment such as ventilators and the provision of kangaroo mother care. She stressed the need for additional resources, advocating for optimized bed allocation and space-saving solutions to prioritize patient needs.
Potential solutions mentioned include implementing lean design principles, utilizing technology, and collaborating with stakeholders to address the space constraints. 'By working together, we can identify creative solutions to space constraints and improve baby-mother care,' Mrs. Ofori-Atakorah stated, emphasizing the urgency for change to ensure adequate care.
Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane, Chairman of the Health Committee of Parliament, echoed the call for collaboration and attention to the department's needs. He highlighted the importance of improving infrastructure to provide spacious and enhanced care for patients, underscoring the urgency of addressing the crisis to ensure that babies receive the necessary care.
