National Hospital of Guido Valadares (HNGV) clinical director Aniceto Barreto says the hospital’s maternity facilities are no longer adequate to accommodate its patients as the number of pregnant women increases every day. 
He said more than 500 women gave birth in the hospital in a month, with more than 50 births per day.
“I hope Vera Cruz Health Centre will run next week so it can attend and receive pregnant women who are in good condition whereas HNGV will only attend to pregnant women who are in poor health with problems such as blood pressure, swollen feet or hands or have complications with their babies,” he said.
He said staff at HGNV would next month examine every pregnant patient to present at the national hospital.
If found to be in good condition, the women would be sent to health centers, which have trained doctors and midwives, to give birth.
Commission F (for health, education, culture, veteran and gender equality affairs) member MP Ilda Maria da Conceção said this overcrowding was caused by poor management in the maternity ward.
She said it was important to deliver information to the community so women would consider giving birth at health centers near their homes.
“The health centers should have a list of pregnant women in their coverage area in order to accompany them until their delivery. If their condition is serious the women can be transferred to national hospital,” MP Ilda said.
She said it was important health staff have good personal communication when attending to the pregnant women as the commission had heard some midwives would shout at pregnant patients and use offensive language.
