The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Hoima, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Hoima Regional Referral Hospital is seeking 2.8 billion Shillings to purchase drugs and other medical supplies.
In the second quarter, the hospital was allocated 1.3 Billion Shillings to procure medicines and other medical supplies which according to the management, is inadequate to cater for the overwhelming population.
The facility serves a population of 3.5 million people from the nine districts of Hoima, Buliisa, Kiryandongo, Kakumiro, Kagadi, Kibaale, Masindi, Kikuube, and Hoima city.
According to the hospital management, there is a shortage of anti-malaria drugs, antibiotics, vaccines, and medical supplies such as syringes, gloves, catheters, and gauze among others.
Dr. Sophie Namasopo, the hospital director says the inadequate budget for medicines and sundries has resulted in frequent drug stockouts. He adds that they are sometimes compelled to advise clients to purchase drugs from private health facilities.
She says the inadequate budgetary allocation to the facility is also greatly affecting the development needs of the hospital, especially in the recruitment of staff and the general welfare of staff and patients.
Dr. Namasopo says the health facility is also carrying the burden or workload from lower health facilities that are not well equipped. She says that the health facilities refer most patients to the regional referral hospital, causing congestion and exerting pressure on the drugs and space
The health facility also attends to refugees from Kyangwali and Kiryandongo settlement areas and those from the Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC, putting a burden on inadequate resources like medicines, ward space, and blood among other services.
According to Dr. Namasopo, the health facility in the 2021/2022 financial year targeted to attend to 4,500 referrals but the number rose to 5,034.
Joseph Kyamanywa, a resident of Buhirigi village in Hoima says due to an overwhelming number of patients and a shortage of drugs, patients are compelled to queue for long hours while seeking treatment.
Rogers Ayesiga, a patient who was found at the facility says due to the huge number of patients at the hospital, some patients are forced to sleep on the floor.
Hoima Regional referral hospital was established in 1910 as a dispensary by British American Tobacco.
In 1935, the health facility was elevated to a district hospital and in 2004 it was upgraded to a regional referral hospital.
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