Bwijanga Health Centre grapples with dilapidated structures
‘’Some structures we have are dilapidated; men, women, and children are sharing the same ward, which is even leaking and affecting effective service delivery.’’
Masindi: Bwijanga Health Centre IV in Bujenje Constituency Masindi district is grappling with dilapidated structures and a leaking roof with a nearly collapsing ceiling.
Bwijanga Health Centre IV, which is approximately 24 miles from Masindi town along the Masindi-Hoima road, serves a population of 39,000 people from the six subcounties of Bwijanga, Bikonzi, Budongo, Nyantonzi, Bulima town council, and part of Hoima district.
Dr. Musinguzi Rodgers, the health center in-charge, told this publication that the ceiling in the general ward is on the verge of collapsing due to the leaking roof.
‘’Besides the ceiling being on the verge of collapsing, the same ward accommodates men, women, and children due to limited structures. There is no privacy,’’ he stresses.
The in-charge, however, says that though they recently received an ambulance from the Ministry of Health, they still have a challenge of fuel.
James Mudede, the LC3 Chairperson for Bwijanga Sub County, decried the sorry state of the general ward, asserting that the ceiling is in a sorry state. He is worried that it may collapse on the patients.
‘’Some structures we have are dilapidated; men, women, and children are sharing the same ward, which is even leaking and affecting effective service delivery.’’
The politician appealed for government intervention before the dilapidated structures cause harm to the patients seeking medical services at the health facility.
Cosmas Byaruhanga, the Masindi District LCV Chairman, said the concern has been noted and they are going to include it in this year’s budget for renovation.
‘’It’s true some of the structures at Bwijanga Health Centre IV are dilapidated, and we have noted the concern. We are going to include it in this year’s budget for the renovation.’’
The district boss also decried the poor performance of the district health department in the last financial year, which he attributed to a lack of substantial district health officers and the absenteeism of health workers.
Intervention
During the review meeting on the poor performance of the district health department held early this year at the District Health Officer’s (DHO’s) Resource Center, the health center in-charges were accused of aiding absenteeism.
Patrick Baguma, the Assistant DHO In-Charge of Environmental Health, said in most cases, when they go for supervision, they find out when the health center in-charges have signed on behalf of the workers who are absent.
Dr. Vincent Katusiime, the acting medical superintendent at Masindi district general hospital, acknowledged that there are cases of absenteeism among the health workers, attributing it to a lack of attitude towards the work.
Lawrence Baleke, the in-charge of Kyatiri Health Centre III, said that the workers have a tendency to report late for work and leave early, so patients seek health services from private health centers.
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