The Sunday News
Amanda Ncube Sunday News Reporter
PATIENTS admitted to private wards at United Bulawayo Hospitals have complained over the poor services they are receiving, claiming they were so poor they think there was no difference with what is being offered at the general wards. UBH has private wards where those admitted are mandated to pay a deposit of $300, equivalent to five days admitted to the hospitals.
However, some of the patients who declined to be named fearing victimisation, said even after paying the money, they are required to buy their own medication.
They added that even the state of the rooms at the wards were deplorable.
“The private ward is supposed to be better compared to the general wards since we are paying more money but in our case it’s not. The rooms have not been renovated and it looks like work to renovate them stopped some time ago.
“In my room, there are electrical wires hanging and I am even afraid that there could be an electrical fault,” said one patient at the institution.
Some patients said the food was not good and authorities were serving them the same meals every day.
“There is no variety, what you ate yesterday is what they will serve you the next day. What is the difference then with those in general wards?” asked another patient.
Some nurses at the institution told Sunday News that in most cases relatives were chipping in although under normal instances it must be the duty of the health institution to cater for the patients.
“We are also not happy with the food that our patients receive in the private wards considering the fact that they are paying more money. Patients get the same type of breakfast, lunch and supper. This means that in between meals they do not get anything like snacks which they are entitled to. This means that in between meals they are supposed to be providing for themselves,” said a nurse who also asked not to be named.
UBH chief executive officer Mrs Nonhlanhla Ndlovu said the institution was facing financial problems like any another hence some works on the wards had not been completed.
“We are struggling to finish the renovations because we do not have enough money and supplies,” said Mrs Ndlovu.
On the rates the hospital is charging, she said they were gazzetted by Government and patients were receiving food in line with the set standards.
