Upgrade our healthcare system

The heroic act by Dr Joseph Epodoi and the team of other health professionals of separating conjoined twins at Soroti Referral Hospital after they were turned away from Mulago National Referral hospital has attracted considerable national debate.  In no place has this news been received with more excitement than Kapelebyong District. 

The parents of the baby are from Kapelebyong District, Obalanga sub-county.  As a leader,  I join the rest of the country to congratulate Dr Epodoi and his team.  He is a true hero of our times. 

That said, this moment provides government an opportunity for reflection on the state of our health system. Despite modest improvements, the Uganda health system continues to experience significant shortcomings that include shortage of healthcare workers, poor health infrastructure, poor quality of service, lack of drugs and medical equipment.  In Kapelebyong , the situation is worse.  

With an estimated human population of 110,000 people, the district does not have a general hospital. The existing Health Centre IV has only one Medical doctor and the general staffing levels are very low. 

With high poverty levels estimated at more than 35 per cent (Data by UBOS household survey 2017), Kapelebyong has a high disease burden that requires a strong health system. Kapelebyong, like many other districts in Uganda, has very poor rural road infrastructure, the district referral system is poor,  the district only has one ambulance which often the has limited resources for regular maintenance.

Last year for example, the vehicle ambulance was grounded for more than one month just for lack of funds to procure new tyres. 

While indicates that  to Ministry of Health, each sub county must have at least a health centre III,  seven subcounties in Kapelebyong do not have a health centre III with Akoromit Sub-County for example having not even health centre II. The situation is simply deplorable.  Daily basis, our poor communities face the harsh reality of what it means to be served by a limping health system.  

Faced by difficult conditions, citizens are forced to be served by a highly capitalistic profit-driven private health sector. This situation must change and as President Museveni swears in his next term of office, I implore the NRM government to prioritize health as a key indicator in human capital development. As leaders we cannot keep quiet and watch as our people die. 

Government has an obligation to improve the health system. First, as a matter of urgency, government must consider establishing and equipping at least a general hospital in all districts where they do not exist. In Teso for example, there is no general hospital in Kapelebyong,  Bukedea, Kalaki and Butebo districts. In addition, government should accelerate the process to upgrade health centre IIs to III.  

This process of establishing Health infrastructure must be complimented with associated programmes on primary healthcare, improving the welfare of health workers and building a complete robust health system. 

Government must continue to sensitize communities to uphold good health practices, observe good hygiene and sanitation. Agriculture activities must include nutrition and good feeding for communities.  Promote a long-term strategy to focus on disease prevention as opposed to curative strategies. 

Francis Akorikin, District chairperson elect, Kapelebyong District