A single mother has appealed for a registered nurse to be posted to Ughele clinic to address the health service catastrophe in the Ughele Community, which holds more than an estimated population of 2,000 people.
Ughele clinic is one of the biggest clinics located in South Rendova in Western Province.
She made the appeal after experiencing difficulties receiving antenatal care at the clinic.
She said sometimes mothers do not receive proper antenatal care, which is a big concern for the development of their babies.
The clinic has been without a registered nurse since August 2022 after the registered nurse left due to accommodation issues.
She said with the new staff house near completion, the responsible authorities should secure a registered nurse for the clinic.
She also called on Ughele Community or responsible authorities to quickly complete the staff house so that WPHMT can post a nurse to the clinic.
She said when the nurse left the clinic, some mothers don’t scale or mark their babies.
When they want to scale or mark their babies, they have to go to Helena Goldie Hospital in New Georgia Island.
Going to HGH is too expensive because they have to buy fuel and hire a boat and OBM.
Given the economy is sickening, for rural mothers to meet the expenses of travelling to HGH is complicated; therefore, most mothers have to stay in the community with their unscaled and unmarked babies.
This is a frustrating and pressing health issue for mothers who want their babies to access antenatal care.
By LACHLAN EDDIE HOE
Solomon Star, Honiara
