Kiryandongo general hospital faces life-threatening power outages
"We have a problem of power load shedding, and the hospital has no standby generator to run the major departments," Mutiti said.
Kiryandongo: Kiryandongo General Hospital, located along the Kampala-Gulu Highway, serves a population of around 500,000 from Kiryandongo, Masindi, and neighboring districts.
Despite its critical role in providing healthcare services, the hospital has been operating without a standby generator for the past two years, a situation that has put the lives of many patients at risk.
Jane Kasangaki, the district councilor for Kiryandongo, highlighted the severe consequences of the absence of a generator.
She emphasized that power outages, especially during critical procedures, have led to the deaths of patients, including babies in incubators, individuals on life support, and those in the operating theater. “When the power goes off, it’s a very big challenge, and at times, patients die,” she said.
Wani Peter, an attendant at the hospital, described the dangerous situation when power cuts occur. He noted that patients are left vulnerable, with their survival depending on “God’s mercy.”
Agaba Denis, a resident of Kiryandongo, shared a similar sentiment, saying that babies in incubators and patients on oxygen have been left in life-threatening situations during power outages, leading to unnecessary deaths.
Sam Mutiti, the hospital administrator for Kiryandongo General Hospital acknowledged the critical issue of power shortages at the hospital.
He explained that, due to the lack of a standby generator, essential departments like the operating theater, X-ray room, intensive care unit (ICU), and even the mortuary are unable to function properly during power failures. “We have a problem of power load shedding, and the hospital has no standby generator to run the major departments,” Mutiti said.
The hospital is urgently calling for government intervention and support from well-wishers to provide a standby generator. This would ensure that essential services continue running smoothly, even during power outages, and help save countless lives.
The situation at Kiryandongo General Hospital remains dire, with many hoping that the necessary resources will be provided soon to safeguard the health and well-being of the local population.
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