Patients stranded , as Masaka health centre, runs out of drugs

Dr Joseph Muwanga (L), the officer in charge of Bukeeri Health Centre III, shows the deputy RDC, Mr Joseph Ssekasamba, empty shelves at the facility’s drug store on Tuesday. PHOTO BY GERTRUDE MUTYABA

MASAKA- Bukeeri Health Centre III in Masaka District is experiencing a shortage of essential drugs.

Those seeking treatment at the facility are now referred to Buwunga Health Centre III, located about 12kms away.

According to Dr Joseph Muwanga, the officer in charge of Bukeeri Health Centre III, most of the essential medicines to treat common diseases such as malaria, cough , pneumonia, diarrhoea and hypertension, are not readily available.

“We usually receive medicine every after four months and those we had in store got exhausted a month ago. All patients are being asked to seek treatment elsewhere,” Dr Muwanga said on Tuesday during an inspection of the health facility by the deputy Residence District Commissioner, Mr Joseph Ssekasamba.

Bukeeri Health Centre III serves at least 12 villages.

According to Dr Muwanga, by the time of the drugs stock out, the number of patients seeking treatment had increased from 70 to over 100 every day.

Ms Jessica Namyalo, a resident of Nkuke Village said she took her daughter who was suffering from malaria to the health centre, only to be told that there were no drugs.

“If there was no private clinic around, my daughter couldn’t be alive now,” she said.

When contacted, the District Health Officer, Dr Stuart Musisi, said he was aware of drug shortage at the health centre, but was waiting for the National Medical Stores to send a consignment of drugs to the district.

“We usually receive drugs at the station after four months and the last delivery was made at the beginning of May. We hope more will be dispatched soon,” Dr Musisi said by telephone yesterday.
He advised people to seek treatment in other neighbouring health facilities as they wait for the supply.

Meanwhile, Buwunga Health Centre III authorities are also grappling with water shortage and power challenges as the solar system they have cannot power the refrigerator to preserve blood for transfusion, as well as providing enough light.

According to the officer in charge of Buwunga Health Centre III, Ms Maria Nakayiki, they have reported the matter to the authorities several times, but nothing has been done.