Buhinga also known as Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital in Fort Portal City is struggling with insufficient staff, oxygen supply and waste management.
The hospital that serves nine districts in the Tooro region lacks radiologists to interpret data leading to delayed reports. The health facility has only two radiographers who serve between 4-5 patients against the expected 15 patients daily.
Ever since the oxygen supply plant became dysfunctional, patients are coerced to buy oxygen from private providers, posing risk due to transport challenges, reveals Dr Oscar Kaliisa, the acting Hospital Director.
“The interruption of our oxygen supply has been devastating. Patients have to buy oxygen from private providers, posing risks due to transportation challenges,” he says without revealing when the plant became dysfunctional.
Besides, the physician is concerned that the regional healthcare facility’s insufficient waste management system is posing health risks. With only two incinerators at the hospital, management resorts to waste burning which does not eliminate germs.
Dr Kaliisa adds that some people collect and recycle hospital waste which is a health risk to the human population.
“Our waste management system is insufficient. We have only two incinerators available leading to waste burning which doesn’t eliminate bacteria. Locals collecting and recycling hospital waster also pose health risks to themselves and the community.” He says.
Following the state of affairs at the hospital, the Uganda #Covid-19 Response and Emergency Preparedness Project (UCREPP) partnering with the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) army has intervened to provide assistance.
The national army has constructed a new satellite laboratory which is currently standing nearly at 80% completion, Dr Kaliisa reveals.
He continued that the new oxygen plant is expected to supply all nine districts in the Tooro region although it currently faces electricity challenges.
The medic says the state-of-the-art health facility will serve a one-stop centre for laboratory tests reducing congestion in older laboratories and the need to send samples to Kampala.
Ms Doreen Nshabahurira, UCREPP’s Project Communications Officer, says the state-of-the-art facility will serve as a one-stop centre for lab tests, reducing congestion in older labs and the need to send samples to Kampala.
“The new laboratory and oxygen plant are expected to significantly improve healthcare services in the Tooro region which has recently experienced cholera, Marburg, Monkey Pox, Covid-19 and Ebola outbreaks.” She says.
Funded at approximately Shs5b, the project will provide modern and internationally recognised laboratory services in the region, Ms Nshabahurira continues.
