BY IRWIN ANGIKI
The national referral hospital has reportedly run out of gauze, affecting services such as medical operations.
It ran out on Friday 11th of November, a doctor at the (NRH) told Island Sun on condition of anonymity.
“Last week, operations in the theatre could not be carried out because oxygen supplies had run out. Later, the gauze ran out.”
The oxygen problem has been resolved with reinforcement of re-agents, the doctor says.
“Now, it is gauze.”
A mother, who prefers to be called by her first name, Mary, shares her frustration to the paper yesterday:
“My son was supposed to have had his operation last week. When we came as scheduled on Tuesday last week, we were told there was not going to be any operation because of oxygen had run out, and were advised to return this week.
“When we came today [Monday, Nov 14] we are again told there will be no operation because there is no gauze. And, we are being advised to try come again on Thursday, implying that it is not confirmed whether there would be any operations for my son on Thursday too!”
The National Medical Store at Ranadi says this shortage will “hopefully” be resolved by today [Tuesday, Nov 15].
“NRH just called us today [Monday, Nov 14] about the Gauze shortage, and our boss has gone to sort this out with the container at the Ports,” an officer at the Medical Store spoken to said yesterday.
“Hopefully if all goes well, gauze will be available at the NRH tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, Ports has confirmed to Island Sun that the National Medical Store has few containers at their storage yard, and that one had been cleared yesterday.
No comments could be sourced from the Health ministry (MHMS) before this paper went to print last night.
Gauze are highly useful accessories in hospital and clinics.
Gauze is available as pads or sponges, which are used in many applications, especially for general cleaning, dressings, prepping, packing and debriding wounds.
It can also be used as a temporary absorbent dressing over wounds.
It is heavily used in operation procedures in the theatre.
