Hospital denies Itula allegation
The regional directorate of health for Ohangwena has denied an allegation by independent presidential candidate Panduleni Itula that a patient at Eenhana district hospital had to endure a surgical procedure without anaesthesia.
The regional director of health, John Hango, said all patients are treated in terms of the health ministry's policies and standard clinical procedures.
While addressing his supporters at the Helao Nafidi Business Expo over the weekend, Itula, who is a dentist, said state hospitals had no medications and patients suffered the consequences.
“How do you explain our hospitals with no medications? Yesterday (Friday) a lady gave birth at Eenhana hospital and they had to suture her without any local anaesthesia, and they said there was no local anaesthesia. What agony must she have gone through? Why do we have to torture our people?” Itula said. Itula's campaign manager in Ohangwena, Timo Shikongo, said he had collected the patient from the hospital just before the meeting and she was still in excessive pain.
When Namibian Sun contacted the woman, she said she had to undergo an episiotomy procedure because the baby was bigger than expected.
“Last Friday when I was giving birth, the nurses had to make some cuts because the baby was too big. They just cut me without giving me any pain relief. After I had given birth they sutured the wound, still without giving any pain relief. Yesterday (Saturday) I was discharged while I was still in excessive pain,” said the patient.
Hango confirmed that the woman had given birth at the Eenhana hospital.
“This patient delivered her baby on Friday afternoon around 17:30 on her own and was not cut as it is alleged. However due to some tearing that occurred during the birth process, the midwives decided to suture her to prevent bleeding. She was administered local anaesthesia (Lignocaine 1%) before she was sutured and this is clearly recorded in her file,” Hango said.
“I therefore refute that the patient was cut and sutured without anaesthesia. It must be understood that this patient was treated as per the policy of the health ministry and she was given local anaesthesia as per the standard clinical procedures.”
ILENI NANDJATO
The regional director of health, John Hango, said all patients are treated in terms of the health ministry's policies and standard clinical procedures.
While addressing his supporters at the Helao Nafidi Business Expo over the weekend, Itula, who is a dentist, said state hospitals had no medications and patients suffered the consequences.
“How do you explain our hospitals with no medications? Yesterday (Friday) a lady gave birth at Eenhana hospital and they had to suture her without any local anaesthesia, and they said there was no local anaesthesia. What agony must she have gone through? Why do we have to torture our people?” Itula said. Itula's campaign manager in Ohangwena, Timo Shikongo, said he had collected the patient from the hospital just before the meeting and she was still in excessive pain.
When Namibian Sun contacted the woman, she said she had to undergo an episiotomy procedure because the baby was bigger than expected.
“Last Friday when I was giving birth, the nurses had to make some cuts because the baby was too big. They just cut me without giving me any pain relief. After I had given birth they sutured the wound, still without giving any pain relief. Yesterday (Saturday) I was discharged while I was still in excessive pain,” said the patient.
Hango confirmed that the woman had given birth at the Eenhana hospital.
“This patient delivered her baby on Friday afternoon around 17:30 on her own and was not cut as it is alleged. However due to some tearing that occurred during the birth process, the midwives decided to suture her to prevent bleeding. She was administered local anaesthesia (Lignocaine 1%) before she was sutured and this is clearly recorded in her file,” Hango said.
“I therefore refute that the patient was cut and sutured without anaesthesia. It must be understood that this patient was treated as per the policy of the health ministry and she was given local anaesthesia as per the standard clinical procedures.”
ILENI NANDJATO
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