Health
UTH Offering Mothers Labour Pain Relief
The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Women and Newborn Hospital has performed more...
By Daisy Mulenga
The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Women and Newborn Hospital has performed more than 30 epidural analgesia procedures in the six months since the service was introduced.
Epidural analgesia is a medical procedure used to provide targeted pain relief by injecting anesthetic medications directly into the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord.
Women and Newborn Hospital Head of Clinical Care Dr. AGRIPA LUNGU says the service is gaining acceptance, with mothers who have accessed the service reporting significant relief from labour pain.
Dr. LUNGU says more expectant mothers are now making inquiries and opting for the procedure as awareness of its benefits increases.
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He said the procedure has also enabled healthcare workers to attend to other clinical duties more efficiently.
In an interview with ZNBC, Dr LUNGU said the hospital is ensuring the safe administration of epidurals through specialized staff training, proper patient monitoring and adherence to standard operating procedures.
Dr. LUNGU however said the service currently costs 5,000 Kwacha making it unaffordable for some mothers and limiting the number of women accessing it.
He said the hospital is working to improve access by facilitating the procurement of epidural kits through the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA), with the aim of reaching more patients, including those unable to afford the current cost.
Dr. Lungu said the hospital is also open to discussions with relevant stakeholders, including the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA), on the possible inclusion of epidural analgesia among the services covered.
Source: Zambia24 — Read more
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