BOMBO Regional Hospital in Tanga region has unveiled a comprehensive plan to expand services through extension of labour wards to accommodate more expecting mothers and other patients.

Speaking at a media conference at Bombo Hospital yesterday, the Nursing Officer In-charge, Kondo Mahamud said that the available labour ward facilities have a limited space and plans were underway to expand for more beds.

He said, at the moment there are 36 beds but the number of patients attended on daily basis rose to over 50 thus causing congestion in the ward which as a result two patients obliged to share a bed. Mr Mahamud said the government has noticed the existing shortage of beds and the plan was underway to expand the ward for comfortable accommodation.

"The expansion project will also involve increase of space for the delivery rooms whereby the number of beds will increase from 5 to 10 in a room," he explained The praise should go to the government, he said, for deliberate efforts shown to improve services at the hospital and today the hospital has taken a new look with different departments furnished with proper facilities.

However, despite the fact that the renovation was not complete, Mahamud was optimistic that things will work out smoothly and the current shortage of working staff and limited number of beds would be equally addressed. He attributed the challenges to the limited annual budget as being a nationwide issue, hoping the situation would improve once funds were available.

"Despite the challenges health services offered at Bombo Hospital are far better compared to what used to be the reality in some years back. People are pleased with our services," he boasted.

The team of journalists had a study tour at Bombo hospital following the workshop aimed at enabling them to report health issues more effectively. The workshop wash facilitated by Dr Juma Mziray from Temeke Hospital in Dar.