Kayunga hospital gets Shs70b boost

KAYUNGA. Government has finalised plans to renovate the dilapidated Kayunga Hospital.
Health minister Ellioda Tumwesigye, while speaking during the commissioning of Kayunga District office block last week, said government had secured Shs70 billion from its friends in the Middle East to use in the renovation exercise, which he said will kick-off before the end of this year.
“The work will include expanding the hospital and constructing more staff houses to give the hospital a new look,” the minister said, adding, “This is a sign that government thinks about you.”

Dr Francis Kakooza, the hospital medical superintendent, said the renovation was long overdue since the hospital was too ‘sick’ to provide good health services to patients.
“We welcome the project and I am sure it will change the environment we are currently operating in. The sewerage, piped water system has already broken down while the roof is leaking. The beds and mattresses, too, are worn out -something that has made it hard for our staff to provide good health services,” he said.

Background
Opened in 1973, the hospital has never been renovated. Broken and rusted beds, stained mattresses and a collapsing ceiling welcome visitors to the hospital’s wards. Officials at the hospital say the water system broke down years ago, forcing them to close the toilets. The hospital has 100 beds but according to statistics, it handles 5,000 cases every day. It also serves patients from neighbouring districts of Buikwe, Luweero, Kamuli, Nakasongola and Mukono.Most health facilities in the countryside, which were constructed before and after independence, are currently in an appalling state but government recently embarked on a programme to give them a facelift and nine of them have so far been renovated and re-equipped. These include; Moroto, Nebbi, Entebbe, Anaka, Kiryandongo, Nakaseka, Iganga, Moyo and Mityana hospitals.

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