By Ziyah News Reporter
Improved maternity services at Beitbridge District Hospital are increasingly reflecting positive performance within the local public health system, with the facility now consistently offering both normal deliveries and emergency cesarean sections.
District Medical Officer Dr Linos Samhere said maternity care remains a key measure of how well a public health system is functioning, noting that Beitbridge District Hospital is currently delivering reliable services in this critical area.
Speaking to Ziyah News Network after a tour of the institution by the Minister of State for Matabeleland South and Devolution, Honerable Albert Nguluvhe, Samhere said the hospital’s ability to provide comprehensive maternity care demonstrates progress at both district and provincial level.
“So under maternity services, as a district and province, we do quite well. We have managed to offer delivery services as well as, most importantly, the emergency cesarean section where they are needed,” he said.
He revealed that the hospital’s cesarean section rate currently stands at 16 percent, meaning approximately 16 out of every 100 women who give birth at the facility require surgical intervention due to medical indications.
“Currently, our cesarean section rate is at 16%, and we’ve been able to provide these services without the patient having to go and procure additional commodities for use,” he said.
Samhere said the improved service delivery to enhanced revenue collection at the hospital, which has strengthened its ability to stock essential medical supplies and sustain operations.
“We’ve been able to improve on our revenue collection by making people aware that they’re supposed to pay for some of the other services that we render. In the long run, we are then able to provide the commodities that they require to render the service,” Samhere said.
He said the hospital is continuing to introduce innovations aimed at further strengthening both maternal and general healthcare services.
The progress was observed during the Minister’s visit, which focused on assessing service delivery standards and tracking improvements within Beitbridge District Hospital as part of broader public health performance monitoring.