Overcrowding compromises care at Marina

Officials said the hospital’s 567 beds had to contend with 750 in-patients, weighing on service delivery and quality. Absenteeism is rising as staff files sick notes to get away from the depressing demand for their services.

Briefing the media yesterday, the hospital’s clinical director, Dr Ishmael Makone, said the facility received about 100 patients daily in the accidents and emergency department, of which 60 percent are admitted. Consequently, the bed occupancy rate exceeds 100 percent.