Babile Polyclinic: Deliveries conducted on floor as maternity ward project stalls

Midwives at the Babile Polyclinic in the Lawra Municipality have been compelled to conduct deliveries on the floor due to limited space and inadequate delivery beds at the facility, while a maternity ward project remains abandoned. 

The Babile Polyclinic, which serves as a major referral centre for several communities in the Babile Zone and parts of the Jirapa Municipality, has only two delivery beds in its labour room. 

Madam Mwininyera Ruth, a Senior Staff Midwife at the Polyclinic, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Babile that the limited space and beds impede quality maternal healthcare delivery. 

“Normally, when we receive more than two cases, we have to put a side bed (mattress) on the floor for the midwife to go down there to conduct the delivery. During peak periods, like September, we can receive 24 to 30 cases, and some deliveries have to be done on the floor because of insufficient space and delivery beds,” she explained. 

Meanwhile, a 30-bed capacity maternity ward project at the Polyclinic, which was awarded in 2020 ahead of the general election, has been abandoned. 

The GNA gathered that the project was funded by the Northern Development Authority (NDA) alongside a community centre in Babile. 

Healthcare workers, patients, and community leaders have appealed to the government to complete the abandoned project to ease challenges in maternal and general healthcare delivery at the facility. 

Mr Lawrence Darko, a Pharmacist at the Polyclinic, said the maternity block, if completed, would significantly improve healthcare services. 

“The abandoned maternity block project is spacious and would be far better than what we are currently using if it is completed and equipped, given that it serves as a referral centre for the area. 

“It will not only serve Babile but also other catchment areas, because there are many CHPS compounds under the Polyclinic,” he explained. 

Pognaa Rose Yirikuu Dakuar, the Queenmother of Babile, expressed concern about overcrowding at the maternity unit coupled with the limited number of delivery beds. 

“As a woman, I am worried because infections can easily affect both mother and baby under such conditions,” she said. 

Mr Vitus Dapilah Kadoe, the Regent of Babile, appealed to the government through the Lawra Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) to consider completing the structures as part of its legacy projects to improve maternal and general healthcare delivery. 

“If you visit the Polyclinic during the rainy season, especially between June and August, you will be sorry for some patients, not only pregnant women because they lie on the floor,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Madam Cecilia Soyelleh, the Lawra MCE, told the GNA that the structures at the Polyclinic were not sufficient to meet the standards of a polyclinic. 

She said she was aware of the abandoned project and added that she would take steps to establish its funding source and status, repackage and re-award it for completion. 

Source: GNA