Kinyara Health Centre III gets fully-fledged maternity ward

Masindi: Residents of Kabango Town Council in Bujenje County, Masindi District have welcomed the commissioning of a fully-fledged maternity ward at Kinyara Health Centre III, saying the new facility will improve maternal healthcare services and reduce referrals to Masindi General Hospital.

The Shs600 million facility, comprising a reception area, maternity ward and operating theatre, was constructed by Sarrai Group in commemoration of the late Sarjit Kaur Rai and officially handed over on Friday.

While presiding over the commissioning ceremony, Patrick Wobusobozi, the Masindi District LCV Chairperson commended Sarrai Group and Kinyara Sugar Limited for investing in healthcare infrastructure, describing the project as a major boost to health service delivery in the district.

“I want to thank the management of Kinyara Sugar Ltd for constructing this maternity ward as part of their corporate social responsibility. It will improve the services offered here, ease pressure on Masindi General Hospital and improve access to quality healthcare for residents,” Wobusobozi said.

He added that the district would continue partnering with Kinyara Sugar Limited and Sarrai Group to strengthen healthcare services and promote socio-economic development in Masindi.

Dr. Enock Mbayo, the Kinyara Health Centre III In-charge revealed that the facility treated more than 40,000 patients during the last financial year, attributing the achievement to increased public confidence and the commitment of health workers.

However, he expressed concern that despite high attendance at antenatal clinics, only a small number of expectant mothers return to deliver at the facility.

According to Dr. Mbayo, 1,084 mothers attended antenatal services during the last financial year, but only 63 deliveries were conducted in the previous quarter. He added that 64 expectant mothers requiring emergency caesarean sections were referred to other health facilities during the same period because the health centre lacked theatre services.

“The new maternity ward and theatre equipment will greatly reduce referrals for mothers requiring emergency obstetric care and improve maternal health services in this area,” Dr. Mbayo said.

Patrick Baguma, the Masindi Assistant District Health Officer in charge of Environmental Health said Kinyara Health Centre III now exceeds the standard requirements of a Health Centre III because it has a theatre and two medical doctors.

He urged the facility’s management to begin the process of upgrading it to Health Centre IV status, noting that its maternity and theatre services are now comparable to those offered at Bwijanga Health Centre IV.

Baguma also appealed to health workers to prioritize normal deliveries whenever medically possible and avoid unnecessary caesarean sections by allowing mothers sufficient time to deliver naturally.

Richard Oyomtho, the Kabango Town Council Mayor welcomed the commissioning of the maternity ward, saying expectant mothers previously travelled to Bwijanga Health Centre IV or Masindi General Hospital for surgical deliveries.

“Now that we have this facility, our mothers will no longer trek long distances for surgery services. We thank Sarrai Group for always giving back to the community through road rehabilitation, construction of classroom blocks and now this maternity ward,” Oyomtho said.

Kenneth Kiiza Nyendwoha, the Bujenje County MP encouraged residents to fully utilize the health facility, saying it was established to serve the surrounding communities.

He noted that government policy provides for the establishment of a Health Centre III in every parish and revealed that President Yoweri Museveni recently pledged to construct another Health Centre III in Kabango Town Council and upgrade Nyabyeya Health Centre II to Health Centre III.

Ravi Ramalingam, the Kinyara Sugar Limited Chief Executive Officer thanked the government and district leadership for supporting the company, saying the maternity ward was constructed under the company’s CSR programme to improve access to quality healthcare for communities living around Kinyara.

“This maternity ward is part of our corporate social responsibility programme aimed at improving healthcare services for the communities living around Kinyara. We remain committed to supporting the well-being of the communities in which we operate,” Ramalingam said.

He noted that the facility serves residents from the neighboring districts like Kiryandongo, Buliisa, Hoima and Luwero since they are specialized in treating some complications including snake bite, rabbis among others.

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