The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Arua, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Health workers in the West Nile region have expressed concerns over the lack of ophthalmologists and inadequate staffing at most health facilities, which is severely affecting service delivery, particularly eye care. Despite the region being identified by the Ministry of Health as having the highest burden of eye diseases in Uganda, health facilities remain understaffed, leading to neglect of cases requiring surgery even after screenings.
The President of the Ophthalmology Society of Uganda, Dr. Erima Denis, emphasized that the absence of ophthalmologists in the region not only hampers service delivery but also results in missed opportunities for partnerships that could support eye care. He added that the society has ophthalmologists available who could fill the existing gaps if the government takes action.
The two regional referral hospitals in the area, Arua and Yumbe, lack ophthalmologists, and several district hospitals and health centers have unfilled positions, including for clinical health officers. Dr. Andema Alex, Director of Arua Regional Referral Hospital, mentioned that despite multiple announcements, the hospital has struggled to attract candidates for the ophthalmologist position, a problem that has persisted since the last ophthalmologist retired years ago.
Health workers pointed out that the lack of understanding at lower health facilities is also hindering service delivery, as these centers could otherwise handle most cases within communities. Arua City Health Officer, Dr. Pontious Apangu, appealed to the Ministry of Health to address the infrastructural and staffing gaps at health facilities to improve service delivery in the region.
Ahead of World Sight Day, the Ministry of Health organized a week-long eye screening and surgery camp, initially planned for Arua, Koboko, Nebbi, Yumbe, and Adjumani districts, aiming to operate on up to 1,000 people. However, due to challenges related to support and personnel, the camp was reduced to a three-day event in Arua, Nebbi, and Adjumani, where 409 people underwent surgery.
The Acting Commissioner in charge of the Clinical Services Department at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ronny Bahatungire, acknowledged these challenges and promised that an ophthalmologist would be deployed to Arua Regional Referral Hospital by September 2024. He also mentioned that the ministry is considering cooperation agreements with professional associations to address the backlog of cases in the health sector across Uganda.
Leaders in the West Nile health sector have noted that many doctors at hospitals are either retiring or leaving active service, with no replacements being planned, which exacerbates the staffing crisis.
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