Healthcare delivery: Yaounde, Douala maternities rated
In a bid to raise awareness on maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, the association, 'Special Programme for Pregnant Women', recently carried a survey of maternities in Douala and Yaounde.

The classification for 2016 will be extended to other regions, the organisers promised.

According to the results of the study, the Douala General Hospital comes first among eight maternities with a score of 16.18/20. It will be followed by the National Social Insurance Fund, CNPS Hospital, Yaounde, with a tally of 16.09/20 and the Yaounde Gynaecological, Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital, at 16/20.

The Saint Albert Legrand Hospital, Bonaberi, Douala, comes fourth with 15.90/20, Bonassama Hospital, Douala, fifth with 15.81/20 and Clinique Fouda, Yaounde, is sixth at 15.72/20. Clinique EDIMED Douala is seventh with 15.63/20, while CASS Nkolndongo, Yaounde, is eighth at 15.54/20.

Findings from the survey showed that in spite of efforts over the years by the authorities of various maternities in the two cities, the level of maternal mortality remains a major concern. On the other hand, some weaknesses were noted such as the delayed care of patients because of non-payment of deposits, inadequate equipment and the absence of delivery protocols.

Other weaknesses are ruptures in blood supply, the late transfer of patients by neighbouring clinics and the inappropriate and exaggerated use of caesarian sections, which have become a means of making quick money.

The maternities were assessed on the following criteria: the volume of activities carried out, births and deaths recorded, and the number and quality of treatment units. Others were equipment, efficiency of emergency services, care of patients and babies, the quality of clinical tests, delivery facilitation measures and the level of security.

The rest were the psychological support offered pregnant women, hygiene and sanitation and the general assessment of services by pregnant and nursing mothers.

The survey was carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and some UN agencies. Questionnaires were distributed to maternity officials to fill and a team from Special Programme for Pregnant Women later visited the health facilities to cross-check the information.

Only clinics, hospitals and health centres that take care of pregnant women till birth were considered in the study.