WATCH: Mpilo appeals to Government for specialist paediatric cardiology surgeons

MPILO Central Hospital in Bulawayo is appealing for Government’s intervention in securing more specialist paediatric cardiology surgeons, as the institution is constantly referring patients elsewhere.

This was revealed yesterday during an engagement held at the institution between the Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care and hospital management.

Mpilo director of operations Mr Joel Charangwa said during the meeting the hospital urgently needed to attend to the need of specialist clinicians and equipment to address issues of paediatric cardiology.

“Right now, we have to transfer patients as far as Mutoko and Harare to receive treatment. There is only one specialist at the moment but we feel she is overwhelmed and is not conversant in performing surgical operations. The doctor only does the basics and then has to refer the patients elsewhere,” said Mr Charangwa.

He also requested the committee to engage the Ministry of Health to provide funding for malfunctioning cancer therapy machinery, as the institution was now overwhelmed with patients seeking treatment.

About US$80 000 is needed to repair radio therapy machines at the institution, which has left many cancer patients stranded.

The frequent breakdown of radio therapy machines has increased the cancer burden in the country with about 10 000 people succumbing to the disease in 2020.

Cancer patients come from the southern region of the country to receive services at Mpilo which is a referral hospital.

Government has put several measures in place to tackle the cancer burden in the country and some of the strategies include introduction of the human papillomavirus against cervical cancer, screening, early diagnosis, treatment and care.

“We have to turn patients away because the radiotherapy machines are not functioning. Patients have to wait long periods for treatment or seek services elsewhere,” he said.

Dr Ruth Labode, who led the committee said the ministry should urgently attend to the call.

“We received a petition concerning these matters and we will be engaging the ministry over these issues.

This is a serious cause for concern and in one of the petitions we found out that several lives had been lost due to cardiovascular diseases. Children are dying of conditions that could be surgically corrected if detected and treated early,” said Dr Labode.

She said she was saddened to learn that most children who are diagnosed are sent to private referral hospitals within or outside the country.

She said most referrals were sent to South Africa or India, a cost that is out of reach for many families.

“Patients that are referred overseas are faced with a huge financial burden, in airfares, medical procedures and accommodation. Those that fail to access these procedures do not live to tell the tale,” she said.

She said the committee will engage responsible authorities to capacitate hospitals and clinics with child friendly infrastructure, equipment and human resources.

“We need the Government to promote early diagnosis and appropriate medical treatment to cardiac diseased individuals in the community,” said Dr Labode.

Nkayi South legislator Cde Stars Mathe also said Government needs to attend to the matter as it was urgent.

“We are on our way to the capital and will be engaging the ministry over these issues too,” she said.