Medical staff at the Ad Lucem
hospital in the Douala One District on Monday, May 9, 2016,turned away a
pregnant woman who was labouring. The medical team present at the hospital came
out to tell the helpers who had accompanied the lady in a "wheel
barrow" that they do not have facilities to admit mentally ill patients.
The helper who brought the lady to the hospital had this to say:
The helper who brought the lady to the hospital had this to say:
"I was shopping not far
from Bali when I noticed a young lady sitting on the tarmac and showing signs
of labour. I thought it would be abnormal to let her give birth to her child on
this open, unsuitable environment, so I quickly took action and brought her to
the nearest hospital so she can receive attention. But unfortunately the
nurses/midwives did not want to take care of her because she is mentally ill. It
is sad.’’
After long deliberations with
the nurses, the director of the hospital came out and gave another excuse by
saying there is no gynaecologist available.
"The gynaecologist who is
on duty is in the operating room. I will recommend you take her elsewhere because
you are running out of time," he said. Despite numerous pleas from
concerned onlookers, the medical staff refused to attend to her. With hopes
fading, onlookers quickly donated cash for taxi fare and the pregnant lady was
rushed to a different hospital.