By KT Reporter
The construction of a new maternity ward at Karongo Health Center III in Hoima city is nearing completion, with the facility expected to be fully equipped and ready for operation soon. The construction works commenced on June 18th, 2024, and the contract for the construction was awarded to the UPDF Engineering Brigade.
The construction of the new maternity ward is aimed at enhancing healthcare services for mothers and newborns in the area. Karongo Health Center III, situated in Hoima West Division, receives between 1,500 to 2,000 patients, including expectant mothers, on a monthly basis according to available records at the health facility. The construction of the new maternity ward was sanctioned following the dilapidated state of the current one and the lack of space. The current structure housing the maternity ward is too weak and has developed cracks, posing great risk to expectant mothers. On top of that, the structure is too small to accommodate expectant mothers seeking antenatal health services at the facility.
Lt. Richard Isingoma, the site engineer for the construction works, told Uganda Radio Network (URN) in an interview that they are progressing well with most of the works complete, reporting that they intend to hand over the facility in May this year. He says the remaining works include, among others, internal floor finishing, painting the facility, fixing internal doors and windows, and installation of beds and solar panels. He noted that upon completion, the facility will comprise of the post-natal ward, delivery room, sterilization room, waiting room, female ward, prenatal care ward, among others. Isingoma stated that at the commencement of the construction works, they experienced a problem of heavy rains that delayed the progress of the construction works.
Gerald Kyomuhendo, the facility’s in-charge, noted that the health center is overwhelmed by high numbers of patients flocking the facility seeking health service delivery. He further explains that the facility is understaffed, tasking the health ministry to intervene and recruit more health workers to be deployed at the health center.
According to Kyomuhendo, the facility has only ten staff instead of the recommended 19. This, he says, is crippling appropriate health service delivery to residents in the area. Rose Kyalisiima, a resident of Budaka ward, applauded the government for establishing the new maternity wing, saying it will help improve health service delivery, especially to expectant mothers in the area.
Brian Kaboyo, the Hoima City Mayor, says that upon completion, the new maternity ward will help improve the maternal health of the people in Hoima West Division. Dr. Joseph Ruyonga, the Member of Parliament for Hoima West Division, who doubles as the Chairperson of the Health Committee of Parliament, tasked residents to jealously own the maternity ward construction works and progress by reporting any shoddy works. He stated that this will help them see how funds provided for the construction works are utilized for the optimum benefit for the population-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
