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Kwania, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The residents of Kwania district have requested the government to elevate Aduku Health Center IV status to a general hospital status to address health service delivery gaps.
On average, the health center receives 900 in-patients a month and carries out more than 100 deliveries a month, according to a report from the Outpatient department – OPD. The overwhelming number of patients seeking services at the health facility has left a big service gap to the communities.
When Kwania district was carved out of Apac District in 2019, the latter remained without a general hospital after Apac main Hospital was carved out to Apac District. Currently Kwania District has one health center IV hospital, Aduku HCIV, located in Aduku Town Council.
The health facility which also serves patients from the neighboring Kole, Apac, and Dokolo districts operates without mortuary. This forces patients to share a general ward with dead bodies, as patients overwhelm.
Stephen Otim, a resident of Atule parish in Chawente Sub County, says that a number of expectant mothers have walked to Lira regional referral hospital, which is 25 kilometers away. Otim wants government to upgrade the status of the health facility to better health services to the community.
Another resident Sharon Akello of Atongtidi parish, Atongtidi Sub County, says that the upgrade will be a positive step in addressing a serious health service gap, due to overwhelming numbers of patients seeking services there.
The Aduku Town Council Vice Chairperson, Peter Otim, says that the influx of patients has exerted pressure on the facility leading to acute shortage of drugs. He is equally pushing for the upgrade of the said facility.
Paul Okello, the health secretary at Kwania district local government, says the demand to have the health center elevated to a general hospital started two years ago but government has not approved the proposal. He however said they are following up on the matter.
Dr Moses Ebong, Kwania DHO, says that upgrade of Aduku HCIV is an urgent need. “The numbers of patients who visit the facility is indeed overwhelming, the upgrade is needed and we have submitted our request already to the line ministry awaiting consideration,” he said.
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