Health service delivery is still low in Kalangala Islands – Minister Muhanga
L-R: State Minister for Primary Healthcare, Ms Margaret Muhanga, chats with the CEO of MV NODL Victoria Mr Sadala Musoke during a retreat by Ministry of Health top management in Kalangala over the weekend. Photo | Eve Muganga
What you need to know:
- The retreat was meant to help the officials to reflect on the areas they would like to focus on to promote the health and well-being of Ugandans.
The Minister of State for Primary Healthcare, Ms Margaret Muhanga, has decried the low health services delivery in Kalangala Islands.
“Health centres aren’t few on the Island but service delivery is still low. Some health officials don’t do their best yet the government tries its level best to make sure that these health centres are catered for. As a government, we are trying our best to make sure that these islands get Health Centre IVs,” she said on Saturday during the retreat by the ministry’s top management at Ssese Island.
The retreat was meant to help the officials to reflect on the areas they would like to focus on to promote the health and well-being of Ugandans.
Priority areas discussed include; financing for health, improving human resources for health, strengthening community health and integrated primary health care systems, addressing adolescent pregnancy, and improving partner coordination in the sector.
Mr Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the ministry’s spokesperson said: “The retreat was meant to help us review where we have performed well and where we still have challenges such that we can draw new strategic plans for the good of the health sector.”
He noted that the ministry will ensure that all the facilities on the island are full-functioning and should be able to conduct all caesarian such that all mothers are able to deliver without being referred to bigger hospitals.
Ministry of Health officials on MV NODL Victoria from their retreat in Kalangala Island.
Ms Ainebyoona noted that boat ambulances are part of the building blocks of the health care system to ensure that if the condition can’t be handled within the island, then it can quickly be referred to bigger hospitals like Mulago.
Mr Gerald Nkurunziza, the chief Captain of MV NODL Victoria, the new vessel that transported the ministry of health officials said: “This was our first trip on Lake Victoria, I am grateful that the health officials were comfortable even though the winds were strong, this vessel is a catamaran which is stable.”
