The medical professionals in Kapelebyong district have been asked to work diligently with love while serving the patients’ interests.

The call was made by Rhoda Oroma, the Kapelebyong Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), during the maternal perinatal death surveillance and response review meeting for the financial year 2023/2024 at the district council hall on July 17, 2024.

“We are understaffed, but let us do our best to serve our communities without discriminating. What we do today may befall our children. When you mistreat patients, the same may be done to your children,” Oroma said.

Simon Esele, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner for Kapelebyong, warned medics against extorting money from patients.

“Let us work together, and we serve the same government,” Esele noted.

While representing the District Chairperson, Richard Okiru, the District Speaker expressed the political commitment to support the technical teams to execute the work.

According to the Kapelebyong district maternal perinatal death surveillance and response report, 5,488 mothers received antenatal care in the financial year 2023/2024. Of those, 1418 went for antenatal care in the first trimester.

Additionally, 3051 mothers gave birth in the health facilities, with an unfortunate 16 perinatal deaths (five fresh stillbirths, six macerated stillbirths, and newborn deaths of 0 to 7). The death was blamed on possible community facilities, referrals, and administrative factors.

Dr. Eudu James, the Ag. District Health Officer, blamed the cause of the deaths registered on the understaffing of health facilities in the district, which stands at 58%.

“Many of our staff work without resting. If more medics are recruited, it will be easy to work in shifts,” Dr. Eudu said.

By Emmanuel Opio (Communication Officer of Kapelebyong District Local Government)