Lack of Laboratory at Dakawa dispensary force pregnant women to do test at private health center

DAKAWA dispensary in Mvomero district, Morogoro lacks laboratory which force pregnant women to do testing at the private centers.

A seven month pregnant woman, Ms Leah Yohana (27) said that the situation have forced to do testing at the private health centers and then return back to the dispensary for clinical records.

“Because there is no laboratory I went to check stool at the private health center and went back to the dispensary with my clinic card and then they recorded my health condition,” she noted.

Ms Rehema Mfaume (24), a pregnant woman of seven months also said that she was asked to check malaria somewhere else.

“I went to test malaria and I was told to go and test from any other health center. I went to the private center and I returned the results so that my clinic card could have been recorded with the results,” she said.

She added, “Unfortunately I was also told to go and buy malaria drugs after being told there were no any malaria drugs”.

The Assistant Medical officer of the dispensary, Ms Catherine Madaha confirmed the situation and said “I have been here for two years, it’s true we ask people to do testing from other health centers with the disease which we don’t have the testing equipment,” she said.

Also Ms Margreth Yapesa, the Enrolled and Public Health Nurse agreed the situation is taking place. She said that they are capable of testing syphilis, blood pressure, weighing and HIV/AIDS when they receive testing kit.

However, Ms Moshi Shabani (22) who has a child of three years said that she use to take the child to the private health center for testing following lack of the laboratory in their village dispensary.

The Dakawa Councilor; Mr Yusuph Makunja said he has been demanding from Municipal council of the district meeting so that they build the laboratory but he has not succeeded.

“Last year September I raised the issue during the Municipal Council meeting but I was told that the residents have to keep on using Milama health center which is owned by the nuns,” he said.

He urged the health practioners to help the village with the laboratory because only few manage to pay for the service.