Prime
Gombe hospital limping despite Shs1b support
Under facilitated.Gombe General Hospital in Butambala District lacks modern equipment. PHOTO BY ALI MAMBULE
Although government has disbursed Shs1b to Gombe General Hospital in Butambala District in the last two years, the facility is still facing a myriad of challenges, including non-functional equipment, inadequate medical supplies and dilapidated structures.
A visit to the hospital on Tuesday revealed that the hospital lacks a functional ultrasound machine, X-ray machine, an incinerator, a perimeter wall and faces shortage of health workers.
Dr Samuel Ssekamatte, the hospital medical superintendent, said lack of key equipment such as an ultra sound and X-ray machines limits their ability to carry out proper medical examination.
“Without equipment to carry out proper diagnosis, we are unable to offer good services to our patients. It hurts us, but we have nothing to do,” he said.
Dr Ssekamatte said ultrasound machine costs about Shs80m while a modern x-ray machine is at Shs200m. Patients in need of these services are sent to private health units.
“We have engaged government on improving services at the hospital and we have the hope that it will respond positively,” Dr Ssekamatte, who is also the district health officer, added.
Mr Edward Musingye, the chief administrative officer, said the facility needs Sh24b to effectively operate and serve the increasing number of patients.
“The hospital needs a lot of things which could not be met with the money that has so far been received. We request government to send more funds to save people’s lives,” Mr Musingye said.
He lauded the Regulatory Insurance Authority for constructing a new accident and emergency ward at the hospital worth Sh230m.
According to Dr Ssekamatte, the hospital receives more than 30 accident victims a month, of which many cannot be handled in time.
While visiting the facility last month, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, the Health minister, said Shs3b had been budgeted for the hospital this financial year, but added that the funds would only be realised after the management accounts for the previous ones.
“When I toured the hospital, I saw where the Shs1b had been spent, but we shall have to send experts to evaluate whether what has been done is worth that money,” Dr Aceng said.
“If there is value for money, more will be sent, if there are queries, appropriate measures will be taken,” she added.
The hospital has so far spent the funds on rehabilitating the out-patient department, constructing toilets and the sewer system.
Renovation of the maternity ward, administration block, departments of dentistry and radiology, store, and construction of a perimeter wall are still pending.
About Gombe Hospital
Gombe hospital’s average daily contact with patients stands at about 1,000. The hospital, which has a bed capacity of 200, was constructed in 1969 and is the main public hospital in the greater Mpigi area. It serves patients from Gomba, Butambala, Mpigi, Mityana, parts of Wakiso, Kalungu and Sembabule districts.
