NIGERIA: Pregnant Women Demand Policy Review At The Federal Medical Centre

Source: Daily Trust
Pregnant women at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ebute-Metta, Lagos, yesterday called for a review of a policy by which the hospital attends to only 20 women for ante-natal clinic. Some of the women, who spoke with newsmen in Lagos, appealed to the management to reconsider their stand on the policy, insisting that it was an unfair practice to pregnant women. The clinic holds only on Mondays.

Mrs Ijeoma Ndubisi, a mother of two, who resides in Badagry, said she chose the FMC because of its efficiency.

"I was residing around this area before I moved to Badagry and this is where I have been receiving treatment. I left home around 4:00 a.m. but I still did not make the list of the first 20 pregnant women today. They are efficient here, but the issue of just 20 women is not good enough. They should please have a re-think," she said.

Madam Latifat Suleiman, a mother of one, said she chose the hospital due to her medical history, adding that she found it difficult to change to another hospital.

"The reason for choosing this place is because of my medical history; the FMC knows what is wrong with me and will know what to do in case of emergency. If I have to go to another clinic, I will have to go through all the medical procedures again and it is a long process. I got here around 6:00 a.m. and met a long queue. I was shocked. The most shocking aspect was when they said they would take just 15 general patients and five members of staff. It is unfair that it is just this number that would be attended to," she said. (NAN)