Overwhelming patient numbers at Lira Regional Referral Hospital have prompted authorities to renew calls for the construction of a new ward complex and expansion of specialised services to improve patient care. Hospital officials say the facility now handles more than 1,000 patients every day through its outpatient department alone, excluding attendants, placing enormous pressure on the existing infrastructure.
The maternity ward has been particularly affected, forcing the hospital to extend services into temporary tents because of inadequate space. Dr. Andrew Odur, Senior Executive Consultant at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, said the proposed maternal ward complex would significantly improve the quality and dignity of care offered to mothers and newborn babies.
Dr. Odur also said strengthening lower-level health facilities across the Lango sub-region is critical to reducing congestion at the regional referral hospital. “As a regional referral, we will be working very closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure that we decongest the regional referral by making sure that the lower health facilities are functional,” he said.
The proposal is supported by Lira City District Health Officer, Dr. Bernard Otucu, who noted that improving services at Health Centre IVs would enable many patients to receive treatment closer to their communities, reducing unnecessary referrals to the regional hospital.
Dr. Otucu cited delays in completing construction works at Ober Health Centre IV in Lira City West Division, saying the facility would ease pressure on the referral hospital once fully operational.
Meanwhile, hospital management has appealed to the Ministry of Health to increase the number of dialysis machines at the facility to meet the growing demand for kidney care services in the region. Dr. Odur said the existing dialysis capacity is insufficient, leaving many patients waiting for treatment.
Lira Regional Referral Hospital established its dialysis unit in early 2023 as part of the Ministry of Health’s programme to decentralise haemodialysis services to regional referral hospitals. The initiative has enabled patients from the Lango sub-region and other parts of northern Uganda to access kidney treatment closer to home instead of travelling to Kampala.
Hospital authorities say further investment in infrastructure, specialised equipment and lower-level health facilities will be essential to meeting the region’s growing healthcare needs-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
