Male and female patients share ward at Jinja hospital

Male and female patients at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital are sharing the same orthopaedic ward due to lack of space.
Dr Jamirah Namusoke, the health officer-in-charge of the orthopaedic department, said the ward is congested, poorly ventilated and inconveniencing.
“The building is very small with only 23 beds. We were forced to create more three beds in one of the offices to enable patients receive treatment than on the floor but unfortunately, patients have no privacy since they are all in an open place,” Dr Namusoke said last week.
He said it is unethical for women, men and children to share one space because it creates psychological torture when a patient is being bathed or a nurse is examining them.
Dr Edward Nkurunzisa, the director of the health facility, called for expansion of the facility with a modern theater due to the high number of patients.
He said the hospital also faces limited funding, which has forced health workers to send some patients to buy certain drugs.
He said the children’s hospital at Nalufenya is congested with two or three children sharing a bed.
Mr Bander Mohammed Alfaifi, the officer-in–charge of the royal embassy of Saudi Arabia in Uganda, who had last week visited the orthopaedic department ahead of Idd, said he wanted to celebrate with patients because many Saudi Arabians know Jinja more than other parts of Uganda.
“These patients find it difficult to celebrate such days with their family when they are in hospital, so we want to celebrate and share Idd with them to show love and care,” Mr Bander said.