By Akena Martin
Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, a vital healthcare facility serving nine districts in the Tooro region, has been grappling with numerous challenges, including staff shortages, oxygen supply issues, and inadequate waste management.
However, thanks to the intervention of the Uganda COVID-19 Response and Emergency Preparedness Project (UCREPP) and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), the hospital is set to receive much-needed assistance.
The hospital’s radiology department lacks radiologists to interpret data, resulting in delayed reports. With only two radiographers available, they struggle to meet the high demand, serving only 4-5 patients daily instead of the expected 15. This shortage has significant implications for patient care.
The hospital’s oxygen supply has been disrupted since the functional plant stopped working, forcing patients to buy oxygen from private providers. This poses risks due to transportation challenges.
“The interruption of our oxygen supply has been devastating,” said Dr. Kalisa Oscar, acting hospital director. “Patients have to buy oxygen from private providers, posing risks due to transportation challenges.”
Fortunately, UPDF has constructed a new oxygen plant, expected to supply all nine districts in the Tooro region, although it currently faces electricity challenges.
Acting hospital director Dr. Kalisa Oscar expressed concern over the hospital’s insufficient waste management system, with only two incinerators available. This has led to waste burning, which doesn’t eliminate bacteria. Locals collecting and recycling hospital waste also pose health risks.
“Our waste management system is insufficient,” Dr. Oscar noted. “We have only two incinerators available, leading to waste burning, which doesn’t eliminate bacteria. Locals collecting and recycling hospital waste also pose health risks.”
In a positive development, UCREPP has constructed a new satellite laboratory, nearly 80% complete.
The state-of-the-art facility will serve as a one-stop centre for lab tests, reducing congestion in older labs and the need to send samples to Kampala.
“This state-of-the-art laboratory will serve as a one-stop centre for lab tests, reducing congestion in older labs and the need to send samples to Kampala,” said Doreen Nshabahurira, UCREPP’s Project Communications Officer.
The laboratory will significantly ease diagnosis, particularly in the Tooro region, which has recently experienced outbreaks of cholera, Marburg, pox, COVID-19, and Ebola.
The new laboratory and oxygen plant are expected to significantly improve healthcare services in the region. Funded at approximately 5 billion shillings, the project will provide modern and internationally recognised laboratory services to the region.
The Writer is a Communications Officer at Government Citizen Interaction Centre (GCIC).
