BULAWAYO residents have called on the government to conduct thorough inspection at public health centres following a shocking baby swap incident at the United Bulawayo Hospital (UBH).
A woman who gave birth to a baby boy had the shock of her life after nurses gave her a baby girl.
Despite her insistence that she gave birth to a baby boy, the nurses were adamant forcing her to undergo DNA tests at a city lab and at the National University of Science and Technology.
The DNA results proved her claims and she was given back her baby boy.
In an interview with Southern Eye yesterday, Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association secretary Thabani Ndlovu said the incident was worrying.
“We are facing a big problem within Bulawayo as the health staff has been failing to deliver, a few days back the UBH staff made a baby swap which is a sign that they should be thorough inspection for the safety of our residents,” he said.
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“Government should prioritise improving the health institutions and allocate more funds for the safety of the public.”
Ndlovu said what was more worrying was that there had been incidents where fake doctors were caught attending to unsuspecting patients at Bulawayo hospitals.
“We appeal for regular inspection so that the lives of patients are not at risk by following proper standards for health institutions,” he said.
Health and Child Care minister Douglas Mombeshora, said the ministry would ensure patients receive quality healthcare services at public hospitals.
“We have procedures that are set and we are going to improve the inspection for the benefit of the public as health is very essential for the well-being of the public,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s health sector is facing several challenges, among them lack of drugs owing to years of underfunding and neglect.
A mass brain drain has added more misery to an already overstretched public health sector.