Residents decry sorry state of health centres

Local leaders and residents of Mpigi District have decried the state of many health facilities, saying they lack drugs and are dilapidated.
The poor service delivery in some health centres have forced some residents to seek treatment from herbalists while others are engaged in self-medication, putting their lives at risk.
Highlighting the plight of health service delivery, Mr Farouk Lubega, a youth councillor in Nkozi Rural Sub-county, said patients are being referred to private clinics that they cannot afford.
“It is only those from rich families who can afford to pay for services in Nkozi hospital and other private medical centres. Government health centres cannot be an alternative either because they require a complete overhaul,” Mr Lubega said at the weekend.
He said Bukasa Health Centre II has no access to electricity while Kampiringisa Health Centre II has dilapidated buildings.
Mr Lubega added that there are few beds at Buwama Health Centre III and Butoolo Health Centre III in Kamengo Sub-county, understaffing and lack of toilets in many other health centres, among other challenges.
He appealed to government to prioritise healthcare for its citizens.
Mr Abdallah Kyambadde, a resident of Wattuba Village in Kituntu Sub-county, who also volunteers to clean Bukasa Health Centre II, said the facility needs immediate government intervention.
“Four beds cannot cater for more than 2,000 patients who visit the health facility every six months. We have no stretchers for the expectant mothers, nurses use phone-flashlights and sometimes candles to attend to patients at night,” Mr Kyambadde said.
“Currently, health centres have run out of drugs for Tuberculosis, malaria and there are no ARVs for HIV patients. I think it’s time for the government to upgrade our health facility (Bukasa Health Centre II) to a health centre III to accommodate the rising number of patients,” he advised.
Mr Godfrey Naalima, the district councillor for Kituntu Sub-county, said patients trek long distances, only to be frustrated at the health facilities that don’t have drugs.
Dr Jane Nassanga, the district health officer, admitted that her department was faced with a number of challenges but said they were doing their best to offer the best service.
“While we have some of those mentioned challenges, all is not doom. We have registered some achievements as well through numerous government interventions. We introduced a redistribution programme where we get excess drugs from health centre IIIs and deliver them to health centers IIs to avoid drug stock-outs.
“We are also giving Shs1m to health centre IIs, Shs2.9m to health centre IIIs and Shs8m to Mpigi Health Centre IV on a quarterly basis,” Dr Nassanga said.
Dr Umar Katende, the officer-in-charge at Bukasa Health Centre II, appealed to government to address the challenge of staff accommodation.

MOBILISATION DRIVE
In a campaign spearheaded by the Mawokota South MP, Mr John Bosco Lubyayi Seguya, the communities have joined hands with local leaders to mobilise funds for their health centres.
At least Shs25 million has so far been raised to install solar power, purchase beds, bedsheets, and blankets for patients. Part of the money will also help in the renovation of Bukasa Health Centre II.