Recovered Jinja hospital CD4 count machine nonfunctional

The CD4 count machine that was recovered this month after missing from Jinja Regional Referral Hospital for six months is nonfunctional.
The hospital director, Dr Edward Nkurunziza, at the weekend said the machine, which disappeared from their possession in August last year and was on January 8 discovered stashed inside one of the hospital laboratories, is not functioning.
He did not say whether the machine was nonfunctional when it was stolen or became spoilt while in the possession of the thieves.
A CD4 count machine is used to detect the number of cells a patient has so that a physician can determine the dosage to be administered.
However, the adviser of Silimu Action Aid Jinja, an association that brings together people living with HIV/Aids, Ms Joyce Ssali, said those who had stolen the machine should be forced to buy a new one.
“Although the machine was discovered, we are still suffering; and because it is not working, we can not know our CD4 cells and viral load.
“If you are not aware of your immunity when you are HIV positive, it is difficult to know whether the drugs you are taking are working or not,’’ she said.
According to Dr Nkurunziza, the machine has been used to determine the progress and effect of the medicine or whether the immunity of patients has improved.
“The hospital only had one machine and since August, patients are not receiving services,” he said.

State House intervenes
The resurfacing of the machine prompted the State House Monitoring Unit to camp at the hospital for one week to establish its mysterious disappearance, reappearance and have the culprits prosecuted.
A team led by the director of Health Monitoring Unit at State House, Dr Jackson Ojera Abusu, said although the machine was discovered, they remain ‘dissatisfied’.
“After investigations are complete, we shall request police to release the machine to us and we consult with the supplier to provide technical expertise on how best to repair it,” he said.
The Kiira Regional Police Commander, Ms Diana Nandaula, confirmed the arrest and release of suspects, all hospital staff on police bond as investigations continue.