A survey by a team of doctors shows that half the number of patients receiving critical care in public hospitals die. There are just 106 ICU beds in public hospitals across the country, but only 42 can take care of patients whose lives are at risk. Some public hospitals do not have such. At MTRH, like many other public hospitals in Sub-Sahara, admission to the ICU generally is on a first-come, first-served approach, reducing the chances of survival, the authors note. Unfortunately, others who would benefit from critical care don’t.”Since ICU outcomes at public hospitals are unknown — but could potentially be high — he says it is important to expand resources.

Source: Daily Nation February 19, 2019 21:56 UTC