The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Luwero, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The construction of the new entrance at Luwero Hospital has kicked off as administrators move to change the image of the facility.
The facility was upgraded from Luwero Health Centre IV to Luwero Hospital in the 2019/20 financial year, as a strategy to improve health service delivery in the district. In the aftermath, the government also increased Primary Health Care and Development Fund allocations to the facility.
However, the image of the facility has yet to change to reflect the hospital’s status. As a result, Luwero district council through local revenue committed 45 million Shillings to expand and upgrade the main entrance as one of the ways to improve its status and enhance security.
The construction works at the front entrance which were launched on Tuesday by the District Chairman Erastus Kibirango, Luwero are expected to be completed within three months. The hospital will also construct another back entrance to facilitate the transportation of bodies from the mortuary, through a contract awarded to SEKRAM International Limited.
Kibirango explained that the upgrade of the front entrance will include expansion of access for pedestrians and vehicles to the facility. Kibirango said that some patients had shunned the hospital because they didn’t see a major facelift.
Luwero Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Bruno Oyik said that by expanding the entrance, they want to eliminate the risk of accidents that patients have faced while exiting the hospital which is located along the highway. Oyik added that entrance will also help to fight cases of theft of hospital equipment.
David Lule Muzzanganda, the Chairperson of the Luwero Hospital Management Board says that as the local government seeks to facelift the facility, the central government which is directly responsible for the procurement of drugs should ensure a steady supply to avoid interruptions.
Muzzanganda says that although there is an increase in the number of people seeking health services, patients feel disappointed to find the drugs unavailable. Luwero Hospital receives over 300 outpatients on average per day.
But Samuel Mubiru, a resident of Kavule zone says that the construction of the entrance may not change the image if issues of drug stockouts are not addressed. He recollects that often, patients are referred to private drug shops for essential medicines.
In the 2022/23 financial year, National Medical Stores delivered drugs for four out of six cycles leaving hospitals and health centres in stockouts. In the financial year 2022/23, 440 people died of various diseases within health centres.
******
URN
