Records at the health facility show that an average of 16 women who are registered for labor are referred to Jinja regional referral hospital due to lack of enough light to offer them proper maternal care.
Residents of Walukuba-Masese division in Jinja municipality have
raised five million shillings to purchase solar panels for the maternity wing
at Walukuba Health Centre IV.
This follows the frequent power outages at the facility which has affected
maternal health care.
Records at the health facility show that an average of 16
women who are registered for labor are referred to Jinja regional referral
hospital due to lack of enough light to offer them proper maternal care.
Sarah Namanda, the chairperson of Walukuba development association who led the
initiative says that many women are referred during wee hours of the night due
to lack of power.
“As a community, we are
dismayed due to the late-night referrals which have cost us the lives of our
loved ones who at times develop complications while on their way to Jinja
regional referral hospital. It is just right that we fundraise for funds to
acquire solar panels which will solve this problem,” she says.
Jacquelyn Nambozo, a resident of Block A village says that the power outbreak has
persisted at the facility for close to three years and health workers prefer
attending to patients using torches and candles.
//cue in: “bwetuba nga…
Cue out…candles,”.
Ruth Nambala, the in-charge of the maternity ward says that the facility has
failed to pay outstanding power arrears of 4 million shillings.
Nambala adds that midwives have been encountering a lot of risks in
administering maternal health care.
//cue in: “most of the…
Cue out…is a risk,”.
Paul Mwiru, the Jinja East MP commends the residents for
partnering with the local authorities in ensuring health service delivery
within their community is improved.
