World Bank gives Shs38b loan for maternity wards

A congested maternity ward at Masaka hospital. Government has, through the Ministry of Health, acquired a Shs38b loan from the World Bank to build more wards in health centre IVs around the country. PHOTO By Martins E. Ssekweyama

What you need to know:

Shot in the arm. Health Ministry said nine additional health centre IVs will also receive money to construct new theatres.

Kampala.

Seventeen health centre IVs across the country will receive new maternity wards after the World Bank awarded the Ministry of Health a loan under the Uganda Health Systems Strengthening Project (UHSSP) worth approximately Shs38.6 billion.

Dr Asuman Lukwago, the Health ministry permanent secretary, said nine additional Health Centre IVs will also receive money to construct new theatres. Construction begins next month.

According to a press release by the ministry, the loan comes as part of government’s plan to improve the dire situation of health centres in the country.

“It is cognizant of the fact that infrastructural development is a key performance indicator in helping the country deliver the Uganda Minimum Health Care Package,” the press release reads in part.

Money allocation
Ministry of Health spokesperson Rukia Nakamatte said the money will be distributed to the health centres through lots.

The first lot, which has eight facilities, was allocated approximately Shs15.7b.
The second, with nine facilities, was allocated Shs12b and the last lot, with four facilities, was allocated Shs10.7b. She added that the construction is meant to improve service delivery in the facilities.

However, Christine Munduru, a health consultant with Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa, says whereas infrastructure is an important aspect in the health sector, there is need to strike a balance with equipment and human resource.

“Government has built many facilities and it is good. But there are equally many facilities which are lying idle because they lack human resource and equipment, for example, health centre IIIs. There is need to prioritise which facilities require infrastructural development and equipment or human resource,” Ms Munduru said.

Beneficiaries

Kitwe
Mwizi
Kiganda
Mwera
Kyantungo
Ngoma
Budondo
Buvuma
Ntenjeru-Kojja
Buyinja
Kiyunga
Nankoma
Bwijanga
Aduku
Aboke
Pakwach
Padibe
Atiak
Obonji
Budaka
Kibuku
Rubare
Kabuyanda
Kikamulo