Buhimba Health Centre III in Kikuube District is struggling to cope with rising patient numbers amid severe understaffing, frequent shortages of essential medicines and limited space for maternity services.
Statistics from the facility indicate that it serves more than 2,000 patients each month, including over 300 expectant mothers seeking antenatal care.The facility has only 12 health workers against a recommended staffing level of 55, leaving a shortfall of 43 staff.
Health workers say the workload is comparable to that of a Health Centre IV, putting pressure on the available personnel and affecting service delivery.
The facility also frequently runs short of essential medicines, including antimalarial drugs, antibiotics and vaccines, as well as medical supplies such as syringes, gloves, catheters and gauze.
Overcrowding is another challenge, particularly in the maternity ward, which has only 10 beds. Some patients reportedly wait for long hours to receive treatment, while others are referred to private facilities because of congestion or medicine shortages.
Alex Amanyire, the In-charge, described the workload as unsustainable, saying the small number of health workers are forced to work beyond the recommended hours.
He added that the facility lacks adequate staff accommodation, forcing most health workers to rent houses outside the premises.
This, he said, sometimes makes it difficult for them to respond to emergencies at night.
Justine Atuhura, a resident of Buhimba Town Council, called for the facility to be upgraded, saying overcrowding and drug shortages sometimes leave patients with little option but to seek treatment at private facilities.
The challenges came into focus on Thursday when Stanbic Bank donated medical equipment and supplies worth 24 million shillings to the facility. The donation included 10 beds, wheelchairs and 100 mama kits, among other items.
Benard Ogwal, the Stanbic Bank regional manager, said the donation was intended to improve maternal health, noting that a woman’s health during pregnancy and after childbirth influences both maternal and infant outcomes.
He said improving care during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period was essential to ensuring that women and their babies achieve better health outcomes.
Godfrey Barongo, the Kikuube District Health Inspector, urged expectant mothers to attend antenatal services at government health facilities and seek care from qualified medical personnel to reduce preventable maternal deaths.
Barongo cited excessive bleeding, infections, high blood pressure, unsafe abortion and obstructed labour among the direct causes of maternal deaths, while anaemia, malaria and heart disease can also contribute to complications.
He said many maternal deaths can be prevented through timely care by skilled health workers in adequately equipped facilities.
Ernest Kaliisa, the Kikuube Deputy Resident District Commissioner, commended Stanbic Bank for the donation and urged local leaders to mobilise expectant mothers to deliver at health facilities.
Henry Kakande, the Kikuube Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, said the donated equipment would help improve service delivery and assured the public that it would be properly maintained.
However, local leaders say the donation will not resolve the facility’s wider challenges without government intervention.
Moses Timbigamba, the Buhimba Town Council LCIII Chairperson, appealed to the government to upgrade the health centre, citing the large number of patients seeking medical attention.
Lydia Kabahenda, the Kikuube District Local Government Secretary for Health, also called for an upgrade to Health Centre IV status, saying expectant mothers face difficulties because the facility lacks an operating theatre.
She said upgrading the facility would improve access to services, particularly for mothers who require more specialised care.
Charles Asiimwe, a resident of Buhimba Sub-county, called on the government to increase medicine supplies to match the growing number of patients-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
