- Ridge Hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit is facing a critical shortage of beds and staff, forcing some pregnant women in labour to be treated in chairs.
- During a visit by Parliament’s Health Committee, hospital leaders called for urgent intervention, highlighting the lack of accommodation for health workers and the need to amend laws to better support financially vulnerable patients.
The Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit at Ridge Hospital is grappling with severe overcrowding and resource shortages, leaving expectant mothers in labour with no choice but to sit in chairs due to the lack of available beds.
During a parliamentary oversight visit on September 4, 2025, hospital officials painted a grim picture of the conditions facing both patients and staff. The head of the unit described a situation where pregnant women endure long hours in chairs, unable to access proper delivery beds due to full occupancy.
The crisis is compounded by staffing gaps, with medical personnel stretched thin across shifts. The Director of Medical Services raised concerns about the lack of accommodation for health workers, warning that the strain is affecting service delivery and morale.
In addition to infrastructure and staffing challenges, the Head of Surgery called for legal reforms to allow hospitals to better support patients who cannot afford care. He argued that current laws limit the facility’s ability to respond compassionately to those in need.
The visit by Parliament’s Health Committee has reignited calls for systemic investment in maternal healthcare, improved working conditions for frontline staff, and policy changes that prioritize patient welfare over bureaucratic constraints.
