It has been reported that in the coming years, expecting mums of Whanganui region would have to face problem as shortage of specialist in being felt. Because of the shortage of the specialists, the pregnant women with birth complications might be required to travel to Palmerston North hospital for getting timely care.

It is estimated that as many as 400 expectant women would be affected with the scarcity of the specialized services. Dr. Digby Ngan Kee, Regional Director of women's health informed that many attempts were made towards recruiting specialists in the area but unfortunately all efforts have fallen flat.

Dr. Digby Ngan Kee said, “Most specialists want to work in the main centers and it's proving extraordinarily difficult for the provinces to recruit and maintain specialists. Whanganui is only one of a number of small centers that it having this problem”.

Following the shortage of the specialists, it is now being planned to make an arrangement under which all the pregnancies would take place at the Palmerston North hospital so that women at the risk could be saved.

It has been informed that the shortage of the specialists has been felt for almost decades. After failing to deal with it, the government has finally taken the decision to address the issue by making necessary provisions.

Although the riskier pregnancy cases won’t be performed at Whanganui, all the normal pregnancies would be addressed there only. However, a final decision would be made in the month of April, when the authorities would inform that the region is not capable of handling complex pregnancy cases. About half of the number of expecting mums would be required to be shifted to the Palmerston North hospital, every year.