MATERNITY WARD: EXPECTANT MUMS PUZZLED AS GUARD ASSISTS

PIGG’S PEAK – During emergencies, security guards assist at the maternity ward.  

Some expectant mothers were left puzzled when they were assisted by a security guard, instead of medical personnel such as nurses or even orderlies. At hospitals, security guards are not part of the civil servants, but are hired separately by security companies hired to perform security work. On June 21, 2024, which is about a week ago, a security guard was spotted between 6am and 7am. She was seen wearing protective gear, including gloves. Some of the expectant mothers expressed concern if this was normal. They said normally, they expected nurses to perform these duties, since security guards were not trained to handle patient.

Pigg’s Peak Hospital services most of northern Hhohho, as it is the only hospital that can handle certain complications during pregnancies. Even some of the patients from Mkhuzweni Health Centre, which is also a large facility, are transferred to the Pigg’s Peak Government Hospital for assistance. This is said to have put a strain on the hospital as it is understaffed, according to some medical personnel, who will not be mentioned as they asked to remain anonymous.

Surprised

According to one of the patients who were discharged on Saturday, she said she had spotted a security guard in protective wear, but initially thought the person was a nurse. “I was surprised to see the security guard, whom I identified because of the boots,” stated a woman who had given birth at the hospital. The woman said she saw the security guard moving up and down at the facility, but was not in direct contact with her. Meanwhile, last Saturday, this publication reported that the hospital struggled to clear medical waste, because they did not have enough staff members. This is said to have resulted in dangerous medical waste piling up for nearly two weeks.

In response regarding the medical waste, the Ministry of Health, through Nsindiso Tsabedze, who is the Communications Officer, stated that the health facility was equipped to destroy the medical waste and that despite concerns that they did not have enough staff for the duty, they could use available resources in the meantime. Meanwhile, Eswatini has the third highest maternal mortality rate in the South African Development Community (SADC) region. Maternal mortality rate refers to the number of women who die while giving birth or as a result of doing so.

The rate is calculated per 100 000 births. Eswatini has a rate of 437 per 100 000 according to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), putting it at number three behind Lesotho (566) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

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