A multi-purpose ward constructed at a government facility in Biiso Town has been described as an outstanding contribution to the health sector not only in Buliisa District but also the neighbouring districts of Hoima and Masindi.
Established at Biiso Health centre 4, the infrastructure has been fundedbyNorah Nyendwoha Foundation initiated by the Buliisa district woman Member of Parliament, Ms Norah Bigirwa Nyendwoha.
Space is one of the key challenges that the health facility has faced for quite long given the increasing population due to the central location and urbanisation of Biiso town and the populated areas in lower and upper Buliisa.
Being in an urban area, Biiso health centre has of late been receiving at least 1,000 patients every month; coming from the host Biiso town council; Biiso and Kihungya sub-counties in Buliisa district; Budongo sub-county in Masindi district and Kapaapi sub-county in Hoima district.
Others come from lower Buliisa parts of Butyaba sub-county and Butyaba town council.
At the launch over the weekend, Uganda’s State Ministerfor Works and Transport, Mr Fred Byamukama, urged people to utilise the boosted facility appropriately instead of seeking support from witchdoctors and traditional healers.
The Minister commissioned the multi-purpose ward and received it as a public facility on behalf of the government of Uganda.
He acknowledged that the health centre has been operating with the facilities meant for a Health Centre 3 yet it was elevated to health centre 4.
However, he said that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government is also mobilising resources to fix all the pending infrastructure so that the healthcare facility can be able to serve its intended purpose as a Health Centre 4.
Leaders in Buliisa district have in the past four years experienced a historical population influx induced by the oil and gas developments since it is the host of Tilenga oil project.
Accidents have since increased and space for treatment became more visible.
At the function, Ms Nyendwoha said that she got the idea of constructing the ward after looking at the increased health challenges.
The initiative is part of a mega plan to contribute to the betterment of health services in the district.
Dr Alex Afeti, the Buliisa Ag. District Health Officer, welcomed the contribution of Norah Nyendwoha Foundation saying it partially addresses the challenge of space at health facilities in the entire district.
He, however, said that many more challenges remain including staffing gap standing at around 40.1% and lack of medical staff accommodations.
Besides, the physician highlighted the inadequate equipment challenge especially for the surgical theatre since health centres in the district and Buliisa General Hospital do not have all the equipment required in those operation theatres.
Mr Nicholas Aliganyira, the Buliisa district councillor for Biiso town council, congratulated Ms Nyendwoha for considering such a sustainable public project.
