Derrick Ampereza
The Ugandan Parliament’s Committee on Health has found that inadequate staffing and space are affecting healthcare delivery at government health centers in Kanungu and Rukungiri districts.
A team of MPs led by Hon. Dr. Elisa Rutahigwa, the Rukungiri Municipality legislator, visited Rwakabengo Health Center III, Rukungiri Health Center IV, Bugongi Health Center III, Kambuga Hospital, and Kihihi Health Center IV in the two districts.
They found that all of these facilities are understaffed, with some having only half of the required number of workers. This is affecting the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery to patients.
In addition, the facilities lack sterilizers to keep medical equipment safe and some have old and faulty medical machines. For example, Kambuga Hospital has a number of old medical machines that require frequent repairs.
At Bugongi Health Center IV, there are only seven staff members, including a cleaner and a watchman, instead of the required 19. Kambuga Hospital has 120 staff members, but the hospital administrator says they need more staff to cater to the increasing number of patients.
Kihihi Health Center IV receives 2,000-2,500 patients every week, but it is also understaffed and receives few drugs. It also receives patients from the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
The committee also found that Kanungu district is facing power blackouts, which have led to the destruction of some medical machines in different health centers.
The committee also found that the maternity wards at different health centers are congested, such as Kambuga Hospital and Kihihi Health Center IV.
Hon. Dr. Rutahigwa said that the committee will write a report about what they saw at the different health facilities so that they can seek government intervention soon. He assured the people of Rukungiri that the construction of the new hospital is underway and will be completed in phases, starting with the theater and wards.
