Masaka Hospital mental ward overwhelmed by high number of cases

Masaka, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Masaka Regional Referral Hospital mental health unit is overwhelmed by the high number of mental cases in the region.

Dr. Kanan Kateregga, the in charge Masaka Regional Hospital mental unit says they receive about 80 cases on average each week.

He attributes the sudden increase in mental cases to the contagious coronavirus which came with loss of jobs, increased anxiety and pressure.

He explains that because of the high volume of patients, they have started experiencing drug stock-outs at the unit at a time when they need more support.

Dr. Nathan Onyachi, the director Masaka Regional Referral Hospital says mental illness is also taking a toll on the families of those affected.

Onyachi says that they have asked the National Medical Stores to increase on the supply of drugs to the hospital so that they can address the challenge of stockouts.

The mental health unit has temporarily been relocated to Kyabakuza health center III in Kimanya/Kyabakuza division to pave way for expansion of coronavirus treatment center.

Agnes Namukasa, a caretaker on of the patients in the mental health unit says the relocation may affect them because of transport challenges.

She says walking from Kitengesa where they reside to Kyabakuza is a little challenging and prays the unit returns to the regional referral hospital.

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