The Fort portal woman member of parliament Linda Irene has expressed concern at the overwhelming numbers of pregnant mothers received at Fort Portal Regional referral hospital.

 Irene says the numbers of pregnant women received at the facility are too many yet the number of staff to handle them are few.

This, according to her, has overwhelmed the health workers at the facility.

“Some of the things that concern us are the numbers, each day the facility delivers 30 mothers which means we need more wards so that mothers can deliver well and attract more to come.”

The facility serves the districts of Fort Portal, Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, Kitagwenda, Bunyangabu, Kasese, Ntoroko, Bundibugyo and Democratic Republic of Congo.

The facility’s performance report for 2016/2017 shows that patients at the outpatient department had increased from 225,322 in 2015/2016 to 244,249 in 2016/2017.

The number of referrals at the same facility was also said to be 6,866 in 2016 with more than 160 patients further referred to other facilities.

The report also indicated that patients who were on admission also increased from 28,264 in 2015/2016 to 29,818 in 2016/2017.

Out of this number, the number of pregnant mothers alone recorded every month are 1000.

Linda says these overwhelming numbers have also put pressure on the needs of the hospital which include drugs and space.

This, according to her, is the main cause of the rampant shortages of drugs, mama kits and other essentials that are needed in the facility.

Linda Irene said this during the handover of 100 mama kits, delivery beds, hospital mattresses, wheelchairs and others to the facility by Stanbic bank.

Linda says the government should recruit more health workers at the facility so that the overwhelming numbers can be easily worked on by enough workforce.

“Govt should recruit more mid wives so that the huge numbers can be worked on well.”

She also wants the government to increase the budget for the facility so that mothers can have confidence in delivering from these facilities.

“Government should also send enough money to the health facilities so that they can work on the things they do not have and give services well.”

Patrick Kamulindwa, the Toro kingdom minister of youth, called for more government intervention to the facility to meet up with its current demands.