Kapisa midwives accused of inadequate care

MAHMOOD RAQI (Pajhwok): Some relatives of pregnant women accuse midwives in the civil hospital of central Kapisa province of providing inadequate care to their patients.

They say most female patients preferred to be taken to other provinces like Panjsher and Kabul because the midwives in Kapisa civil hospital are notorious for inadequate care.

Nilab, a resident of Kohistan-II district, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “Whenever I have gone to the civil hospital with ailing relatives, I have found the midwives listening to radio or playing games on computers and cell phones.”

She said the midwives would not stop playing games on their cell phones even if serious patients arrived at the hospital.

“Some patients need emergency treatment, but they don’t care and when you complain, they would start hue and cry and hurl abusive words.”

Another resident, Fareshta, held similar views and called for the midwives to be fired.

Palwasha, who lives in Mahmood Raqi, the provincial capital, said the midwives did not discharge their responsibilities and lacked interest in providing care to patients.

“Sometimes, if not often, these health workers demand money from family members of patients in return for assisting them in getting their problems resolved. Women often give birth to children in the waiting room rather than the labour room. They (midwives) have no morals to follow.”

Sher Shah, a Mahmood Raqi resident, said his female relatives had again and again complained against the midwives, but the Public Health Department was yet to take any action in this regard.

Public Health Director Dr. Mirza Mohammad Reja confirmed receiving complaints against midwives.

He warned midwives if further complaints were received against them, they would be subjected to legal actions.

Dr. Reja said all patients in Kapisa did not visit the civil hospital because small and big health clinics were available in other areas of the province. The clinics provided healthcare services day and night, he said.

ma

Visits: 0