According to information obtained by Uganda Radio Network-URN, the health facility has been experiencing a stockout of essential medicines since January this year, which has affected service delivery to the locals.
Doctor Steven Magera, the Medical Superintendent of Luwero hospital explains that the ambulance is old and prone to frequent breakdowns. He explains that recently the ambulance broke down and the hospital needs over eight million shillings to repair its engine.
The patients that included 19 children and three adults were on Wednesday rushed to the health facility after they were served food suspected to have been laced with poison.
The patients including 19 children,2 women and a man whose particulars were not readily available by press time were rushed to the health facility on Wednesday night after they were served with food suspected to have been laced with poison.
The facility lacks essential medicines such as anti-malarials, antibiotics, and medical supplies such as syringes, vaccines, gloves, catheters and gauze.
Dr. Gerald Asaba, in charge of Buhaguzi health sub-district, who led the free medical camp, said there was a need to bring health services to the community since most of the community members cannot afford treatment.
Dr Naisye attributes the shortage to the influx of people flocking the district in anticipation of getting jobs in the oil and gas sector and the continued influx of Congolese nationals who cross into the district to access health services.
Justus Murungi, the Chairperson of Kakumiro Health and Education Committee, says that they lack a district hospital, adding that elevating Kakumiro health center IV will improve health services.
Dr. Amon Bwambale, the Medical Superintendent says the hospital ran out of essential drugs before the planned next cycle of delivery by National Medical Stores-NMS. He adds that the hospital has spent more than three years without an X-ray machine which has affected the handling of medical emergencies.
A visit by Uganda Radio Network on Saturday at the facility discovered that most of the beds that had been occupied by patients have remained vacant. The most affected are the children, male and female wards.
According to Tibamanya, they often fail to manage patients whose conditions requires oxygen because of the intermittent power supply. He attributes that the power problem to the fact they share a single line with neighbouring institutions.
Bosco Ocira, the LC I Chairperson Otici Village who also doubles as the Health Center Management Committee Chairperson, says the facility is currently operating partially due to the absence of many health workers.
Geoffrey Okello, the Executive Director of Gulu NGO Forum says herbal medicines can support the treatment of patients with COVID-19 and he advised the government to examine those already in existence since so far, science has failed to discover a remedy yet the infection rates are soaring beyond control.
In 2005, the facility scaled down on services that include admitting expectant mothers and conducting minor surgeries over lack of space as well as the poor state of the buildings.
David Lukumu, the Health Center In charge, says they lack essential supplies such as anti-malaria drugs, antibiotics, vaccines, syringes, gloves, catheters, and gauze among others.
