Dr. Nathan Onyachi, the Hospital's Director explained that Ministry of Health is aware of this arrangement and that it is to help in running the hospital. Adding that the money is spent on buying ingredients used for CT scan or films for x-ray machine.
The Parliamentary Committee on Health has raised concern over
“extra” charges that Lira Regional Referral Hospital (LRRH) is imposing on the
patients who seek imaging services at the facility.
Currently, the government facility is offering specialized
services like dialysis, CT scan, and X- ray at a fee. For example, every kidney
patient on dialysis is being charged 80,000 shillings per session while a CT
scan costs 150,000, 200,000 for ultrasound, and an X-ray costs 10,000
shillings.
During an oversight assessment on the level of health
service delivery in the Lango Sub region, the committee members were shocked to
find out that hospital clients are being charged such a “high” fee. Samuel Opio
Acuti, the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee who is also the Kole North County
MP noted that the Health Ministry had approved imagining charges to be between
100,000 to 150,000 shillings.
He then tasked the hospital administration to avail to them
the letter from the Ministry of Health (MoH) that approved the figures they are
charging for those particular services.
//Cue in: “We are aware…
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Opio wondered why despite having available operational
facilities like CT scan and ultra sound is now functional.
//Cue in: “The equipment is…
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In his response, Dr. Nathan Onyachi, the Hospital's Director
explained that Ministry of Health is aware of this arrangement and that it is
to help in running the hospital. Adding that the money is spent on buying
ingredients used for CT scan or films for x-ray machine.
//Cue in: “Government provides free...
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Specific categories of people such as pregnant mothers with
renal failure as a result of preeclampsia and children with kidney failure as a
result of malaria are given dialysis for free. Also accident victims with no
attendants but require CT scan are serviced free of charge.
“There is a human element in these services. It’s not that
we are ruthless but because the money is useful to sustain the service,” said Dr.
Onyaci.
He further disclosed that the hospital has opened a private
ward where patients who can afford are offered services like admissions,
consultations, pharmacy and laboratory tests at a subsidized cost.
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Jane Acola whose husband receives dialysis service twice a
week from the hospital is proud of the service saying it is cheaper compared to
traveling to Mulago hospital in Kampala for the same service.
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Meanwhile, Peter Okello Odeke, the Hospital Principal
Administrator, explained that the issue of staff absenteeism is being addressed
not only at the hospital but regional level.
//Cue in: “Off course this…
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Lira Regional Referral Hospital which is situated in the
heart of Lira City serves a population of 2.8 million people speared across 10
districts in Lango and other neighboring areas.
