Health Services
Medical Services
Inpatient Department
The In-Patient Department (IPD) admits children and adults with severe medical problems (non-trauma) 24 hours a day. Child IPD looks after patients under 12 years of age. Of the total admissions to IPD about 20% are children under 5 years old. Adult IPD looks after all patients over 12 years of age. Infectious diseases account for 46% of total admissions.
The average length of stay is six days. Each year there are about 170 referrals to other hospitals. The IPD department is often busy and crowded. The patients, who have severe conditions and/or chronic illnesses, require complex care. Senior health workers and a volunteer physician provide ongoing training and medical supervision.
The IPD is a very basic building, but some renovation has provided additional space for patients. There is also an area for the medics to prepare medications, see follow-ups, conduct training, store supplies, have a small medical reference library, and keep an archive of past medical records. Even with the renovation the department is often overcrowded, with an average of 50-60 patients present at any given time. The presence of family members increases the crowding. Beds are frequently close together and often patients have to be accommodated in the space available between the beds.
There are about 190 deaths at the Clinic each year. About 35% of mortalities occur within 48 hours of admission. Late arrival at the Clinic is an important factor in many deaths. Transportation costs to the Clinic are high, and illegal migrants who are less ill are more likely to be arrested than those who are severely ill. Hence, they often delay too long before coming.
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