By Thomas Dixon –
The just published Auditor General Report exposed major anomalies in Sierra Leone main referral hospital, pointing out that Connaught Hospital lacks basic health equipment that should help save lives.
According to the report, there was inadequate medical equipment for the examination and screening of patients, noting that during on–the– spot verification at 10 wards and other Units within the hospital, they (Auditors) observed inadequate supplies of BP machines, oxygen concentrators, gloves, aprons, thermometers, weighing scales, wheelchairs, stretchers, water heaters, suction machines, cartridges and accessories for ABG Analyser and Hemocue, refrigerator, test kits, blood bags, microscope, test tubes, water distiller, and fridge.
That in the wards, the bed linens and mattresses are very old, and some of the beds cannot wind which makes it difficult for some patients with conditions that require certain postures.
That at the theatre there is a lack of special surgical instruments limiting the specialty surgeon to do certain procedures while the The Triage lacked adequate thermometers; there was only one BP machine and thermometer.
The report furthered that at the intensive care Of the 10 beds in the ICU, there is only six oxygen concentrators and no suction machines while the blood bank department has one refrigerator purchased over 10yrs ago
They pointed out that In the event of the breakdown of this refrigerator, the whole blood bank department will be down as there is no spare. Interview revealed that there are no centrifuge and Hemocue machines used for cross-matching.
“The laboratory lacked an automated chemical analyser which is key equipment recommended by consultants as a referral and teaching hospital to be able to do more advanced diagnostic tests,” the Auditors revealed
That X-tray deaparment lacks Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scanning machines, hence patients with head trauma, cancer and stroke requiring such service for specific treatments are not having it. Patients requiring CT and MRI scans are referred to private service providers for this service.
“We observed that consumables such as filters, salt, gloves, bloodlines, and special plaster were not enough to enhance effective operation of the dialysis unit.,” the report revealed.
