MUGABE R
Hon. Naboth Namanya, the Member of Parliament for Rubabo County, has criticized the Ministry of Health for wasting taxpayers’ money and neglecting patients.
Namanya made these remarks during an oversight visit to Rubanga Health Center II in Rubanga Parish, Buyanja Sub County, Rukungiri District. During his visit, he discovered an abandoned maternity ward, limited medical supplies, and absentee staff.
In the early 2000s, the Ministry of Health constructed the maternity ward, equipping it with expensive items such as refrigerators, beds, and furniture. However, despite these investments, the facility lacks a midwife, and its stock is mainly limited to nutritional supplies—an issue compounded by the frequent absence of the health center’s in-charge officer.
Namanya criticized the Ministry for poor planning, noting that last year the district returned unutilized funds intended for recruiting health workers and providing essential medical supplies. He pointed out that the stock of nutritional supplements, which are rare in the area, was poorly managed, and this inefficiency had contributed to significant losses, with unused stock being discarded by medical stores.
He proposed holding strategic meetings to address the mismanagement of health facilities and prevent further losses caused by poor stock management.
Agaba Emmy Rubondo, the LC3 Chairperson of Buyanja Sub County, highlighted that the health center serves a large catchment area with a growing population, including neighboring sub-counties. He emphasized the struggle expectant mothers face accessing distant health facilities and called for unity between the district authorities to ensure the maternity ward becomes operational.
Jolly Komugiaha, the woman Parish Councilor for Rubanga, expressed her gratitude to former MP Hon. Mary Paula Turyahikayo, who lobbied for the health facility’s construction. However, she noted that progress stalled after Turyahikayo’s term ended. Komugiaha emphasized the difficulty expectant mothers face, particularly those who receive immunizations at the facility but have to travel far for delivery services. She appealed to the district authorities to take action.
Catherine Kubakurungi, a healthcare provider at the facility, clarified the demand for maternity services at the health center, pointing out that the maternity ward remains unused due to the lack of a midwife.
Phionah Ahimbisibwe, a resident of Ibumba Cell, confirmed the large number of babies receiving immunizations at the facility and echoed the need for maternity services to complement the immunization program.
Innocent Kahimakazi spoke about the high cost of emergency transport for expectant mothers needing to access distant health facilities, urging for an immediate response. He mentioned that some mothers forgo medical care altogether due to the lack of affordable transportation.
Boaz Tumwebaze, a resident of Kyamabale, thanked the government for its initial efforts but expressed disappointment over the facility’s ongoing dysfunction. He called for urgent action to make the maternity ward operational, so the community can benefit from the facility.
