Nebbi's Goli Health Centre uses Boda Bodas for patient referrals

Nine years have passed since President Yoweri Museveni pledged to provide a brand-new ambulance to Goli Health Centre IV during a wedding ceremony in 2015.

Unfortunately, the promise remains unfulfilled, leaving the facility to rely on boda bodas and private vehicles for patient referrals.

Located in Jupangira sub-county, 21 kilometres from Nebbi Town, Goli Health Center IV serves a catchment population of 22,000, stretching from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The facility has been grappling with transport challenges, making it difficult to manage referrals.

Patients like Mr Christopher Ocakowun are forced to pay hefty sums for private transportation. "In case of referral, we pay the shortest distance Shs30,000, which is about 8 kilometres to Nebbi hospital, and Shs 50,000 to Angal hospital for private car owners," he said.

Mr Ocakowun emphasised that using boda bodas or hiring private cars is expensive for poor patients.

"We hope the pledge for the ambulance is fulfilled because we are suffering so much. It is difficult to use boda boda for an emergency," Mr Ocakowun added.

Dr Jethro Okoni, the facility's in-charge, confirmed that patients are using boda bodas or hiring cars as the only available means of transport.

"We advised our patients to look for private means in case the referral is made because the health centre doesn't have an ambulance for referral at the moment," Dr Okoni said.

The facility is overwhelmed, serving a large population with high demands for an ambulance to serve referral purposes.

"On a monthly basis, 10-15 mothers are referred to either Nebbi Hospital or Arua Referral Hospital. But when a patient is in an emergency situation like an accident, they call for an ambulance from Nebbi," Dr. Okoni added.

Dr Okoni emphasized that they advise against transporting newborn babies and expectant mothers using boda-bodas in case referrals are made. "It's not safe for them, and we try to find alternative means, but it's a challenge," he said.

The District Chairperson, Mr Emmanuel Urombi, expressed frustration over the unfulfilled pledge. "We have written several letters to the state house following up on the pledged ambulance by the president, but nothing has materialized since 2015," he said.

Mr Urombi highlighted the importance of the health centre, serving a large population stretching from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"Goli health centre IV is serving a bigger population because the area it serves stretches to the neighbouring DR Congo and some parts of Zombo district with high demand for ambulances," he said.

In response to the concerns, the State House Public Relations Officer, Mr Faruk Kirunda, shifted the responsibility to the Area Member of Parliament.

"If the ambulance was not delivered, then, the Area Member of Parliament must make a follow-up for the ambulance with Minister for Health Dr Ruth Aceng such that the ambulance is delivered," Mr Kirunda said.

Goli Health Center IV is managed under the Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau (UPMB), extending health services delivery at subsidized costs to nearby communities as mandated by the Ministry of Health. The centre serves the population of DR-Congo and parts of Nebbi and Zombo districts.