Suzan Kanyemibwa, the BoU Secretary and Head of Corporate Affairs says they chose to Focus on the health sector in this particular drive in order to ensure a healthy population, which is the backbone of economic productivity.
According to reports from the hospital administrators, the health facility has for long been faced with a shortage of drugs and other medical supplies which include x-ray films, surgical and examination gloves and detergents due to under-supply by the National Medical Stores- NMS.
A random check by our reporter to Layibi Market in Layibi Division, Cereaeno Market in Pece Division and Gulu Main Market in Laroo Division, as well as a cross-section of pharmacies around
the town, shows that prices have now been hiked, as the stock also dwindles.
The National Medical Stores suppliers have decried the poor handling and reception of drugs delivered to Wakiso District which they say is putting t the drugs at risk of getting spoilt before they reach end-users.
According to information obtained from Mbale Regional Referral Hospital the drugs ran out in December 2017. A highly placed source in Mbale Regional Referral Hospital told URN on condition of anonymity that they last received medical supplies in November last year.
The guidelines which were recently sent to District Health Officials indicating that the Local Governments will bear the cost of destroying expired drugs. The district will pay 565,000 Shillings to NMS for every 1000 kilograms of expired drugs. The money covers the cost of collection, transport and destruction.
Patrick Masinde, the Pharmacist Iganga Hospital, says in the 2015/2016 financial year, their budget for drugs and medical supplies was Shillings 67 million for every two months.
In an incident that happened over the weekend, Rebecca Kimuli, a S.3 student of His Mercy Secondary School in Kisomoro Sub County fell sick. Since there wasn\'t any health facility at the school, she was rushed to Fort Portal referral hospital, where she died on arrival.
