Derrick Ampereza
Members of the Parliament’s Committee on Health, led by Hon. Dr. Elisa Rutahigwa, the legislator for Rukungiri municipality, have discovered that there is a shortage of drugs in Rukungiri district and municipality.
During their visit to Rukungiri and Kanungu districts, the MPs assessed the state of health service delivery in hospitals and health centers. Dr. Akansiima Mucunguzi, the Rukungiri district health officer, informed the committee that the district is struggling to meet the medical needs of its growing population due to insufficient drug supplies. He called on the parliamentary health committee to consider increasing the stock of drugs for Rukungiri.
Dr. Mucunguzi also pointed out that Rukungiri district health centers are facing a significant challenge with the absence of radiological equipment such as x-ray machines, forcing patients to seek services at costly private health facilities.
Hon. Timothy Batuwa, the Jinja West county legislator and shadow minister of health, emphasized the importance of providing Rukungiri district with radiological equipment, considering it inappropriate for a model district like Rukungiri to lack such essential medical tools.
The committee also inspected the construction progress of a theater at Rukungiri Health Center 4, where they praised the Uganda People’s Defense Force Engineering Brigade for their commendable work.
Rukungiri Mayor Charles Makuru also commended the UPDF Engineering Brigade for their efficient and speedy construction work, which suggests that the project will be completed on schedule. He expressed gratitude to Hon. Dr. Elisa Rutahigwa for leading the parliamentary health committee’s visit to Rukungiri to assess the healthcare challenges in the area.
Hon. Dr. Elisa Rutahigwa, the Rukungiri municipality legislator and the committee’s team leader, mentioned that they would compile a report on their findings. She also noted that the committee had previously assisted in acquiring an emergency ambulance for Rukungiri Health Center 4 in Rwamahwa in 2021.
