The government this Friday launched construction works for the upgrade of Buseruka Health Center III to health Center IV level in Hoima district. The project, valued at approximately 8.2 billion shillings, will be executed by the UPDF Engineering Brigade and the construction works will be done within six months.
The facility upon completion of the upgrade works will comprise of a fully equipped operating theatre, a general ward, maternity ward, additional consultation rooms, outpatient department, radiology unit, expanded inpatient wards, emergency and accident ward and a pharmacy among others.
The new theatre will be capable of handling emergency surgical procedures, including caesarean sections, while the upgraded facility will also provide blood transfusion services and improved diagnostic capabilities among other critical health service delivery.
Launching the upgrade work on Friday at the Buseruka sub county headquarters, Robinah Nabbanja, the prime minister of Uganda noted that upon completion, the health facility will help decongest Hoima regional referral hospital since it will be in position to conduct procedures such C-sections, handle accident and Emergency cases among others that are currently being referred to Hoima regional referral hospital causing a lot of congestion.
She says government will recruit additional staff to the health facility to offer robust and health service delivery to residents in the sub county and other parts of the Bunyoro sub region adding that the facility’s upgrade will help reduce medical costs to patients.
Dr. Charles Ayume, the state minister of health in charge of Primary health care says, the upgrade of the facility will help boost health services to the people in the sub region. He says that government will soon upgrade health center IVs across the country to Community hospitals to offer robust health service delivery to the citizens. He assured residents that Ultrasound scan and X-ray services will soon be offered at the health facility to attend to the overwhelming cases of accidents in the region.
Pius Wakabi, the Bugahya County Member of Parliament cautioned the contractor against substandard work and emphasized the need for accountability and strict adherence to quality standards to ensure value for money. Hoima LCV Chairperson Uthman Kadir Mugisa, applauded the government for considering the upgrade of the health facility saying it is currently overwhelmed by patients who flock it.
Buseruka Sub County LCIII Chairperson Julius Opio appealed to the government to ensure that enough drugs and health personnel are deployed at the health facility to offer sufficient health service delivery adding that the number of patients seeking treatment has more than doubled at the health facility.
Opio also tasked the government to connect water to the facility saying currently the health center is operating without water, yet it is a crucial basic necessity. Authorities say the upgrade of Buseruka Health Centre III that is situated near the Kabaleega International airport will provide an important layer of emergency medical support for players, officials, supporters and residents during the tournament while also delivering long-term benefits to communities in the Albertine region.
Beyond AFCON 2027, the project is expected to improve access to specialised healthcare, reduce referrals to distant facilities and strengthen emergency response services in one of Uganda’s fastest-growing areas.
Currently, Buseruka Health Center III receives between 1,000 to 1,500 patients monthly including both locals and Congolese nationals who cross to access health service delivery in the area hence exerting pressure on the few available drugs allocated to the facility.
The health facility lacks essential medicines such as antimalarials, antibiotics, and medical supplies such as syringes, vaccines, gloves, catheters, and gauze, among others. This is due to the overwhelming number of patients visiting the health facility seeking treatment-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
