David Philip Baguru
The Acting Director of the Emergency Department at Wau Teaching Hospital, Dr. Ambelia Mario Sabino, says the hospital has recorded more than 30 emergency cases over the past two months.
Dr. Sabino explained that the cases include dog bites, motor incidents, gender-based violence (GBV), and other emergency incidents.
She noted that since the beginning of the New Year, the hospital has also seen an increase in the number of patients visiting the Outpatient Department (OPD).
Dr. Mario Sabino revealed that five deaths have been recorded in recent weeks, with some cases resulting from gunshot injuries not originate from within Wau, but were referred from outside areas.
However, she added that incident-related cases have been decreasing, with the emergency department now receiving between one and five such cases per day.
Dr. Ambelia Mario Sabino further highlighted several challenges facing the emergency department, including a shortage of doctors to manage the growing number of patients at the OPD.
She also cited a lack of emergency medications, the absence of ultrasound services in the emergency department which make it hard to quickly assess internal injuries, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
The Acting Director of the Emergency Department at Wau Teaching Hospital says the facility continues to calls on health authorities and partners to support the hospital with adequate staffing, medicines, and equipment to improve emergency response and save lives.