A shortage of beds, diagnostic equipment and reliable electricity at Kiyunga Health Centre IV in Luuka District is forcing some patients, particularly expectant mothers, to seek treatment from private clinics, increasing the financial burden on struggling families.
The government health facility is grappling with rising patient numbers amid limited infrastructure and staff, putting pressure on maternity, outpatient and other services.
The maternity ward faces the most severe challenge, with some mothers reportedly forced to sleep on the floor with their newborn babies because of inadequate beds and space.
Mr Gideon Mukama, the officer in charge of Kiyunga Health Centre IV, confirmed that the facility needs additional infrastructure, beds, diagnostic equipment and a more reliable power supply.
‘We have inadequate infrastructure as patient numbers rise daily. We lack enough beds and space, forcing some mothers to sleep on the floor with their newborn babies, which is against proper health practices,’ Mr Mukama said.
The facility conducts between three and five deliveries daily, translating to about 150 to 200 births each month, including normal and Caesarean deliveries. Its outpatient department receives about 3,000 patients monthly.
However, the health centre has only 11 beds in each of the female and male wards and four beds in the children’s ward.
The shortage has at times forced female patients to be admitted in the male ward when the female ward is full.
Mr Mukama said Kiyunga Health Centre IV effectively serves as Luuka District’s main referral facility because the district does not have a hospital.
Patients referred from lower-level Health Centre IIIs and IIs, as well as private clinics, are sent to Kiyunga for services unavailable at those facilities.
The pressure on the facility has also pushed some expectant mothers to seek services from private clinics, although some patients are later referred back to Kiyunga because of the range of services available there.
For low-income families, the choice between paying for private treatment and seeking care at an overcrowded public facility adds to the financial strain.
Diagnostic equipment shortage
Kiyunga Health Centre IV also lacks essential diagnostic equipment, including an X-ray machine.
Although the facility has a Complete Blood Count (CBC) machine, health workers say its diagnostic capacity remains inadequate for the number of patients it serves.
The shortage can complicate diagnosis for patients who require more comprehensive investigations.
Unreliable electricity affects theatre
The health centre has a functional operating theatre, but unreliable electricity has limited the use of some medical equipment.
Mr Mukama said some machines have remained idle because the power supply is not consistent enough to operate them.
Inadequate lighting in the theatre has also created challenges for medical teams conducting operations.
‘A successful surgical procedure requires reliable electricity, adequate lighting and properly sterilised equipment to ensure the safety of patients and health workers,’ he said.
MTN installs solar system
The challenges have attracted intervention from the Ministry of Health and MTN Uganda through the MTN Yellow Care initiative, which installed a solar power system at the health centre.
The system is intended to provide reliable electricity and lighting and enable health workers to use equipment that had previously remained idle because of power interruptions.
Ms Sylvia Mulinge, the MTN Uganda chief executive officer, said the intervention was aimed at addressing some of the challenges affecting healthcare delivery.
She said inadequate infrastructure, limited access to health information and insufficient public sensitisation on health issues remain barriers to improving healthcare services.
Luuka District Health Officer Dr Christopher Wandera said MTN Uganda also donated medical equipment and other supplies, including delivery and examination beds, oxygen concentrators, computers and bicycles for Village Health Teams.
‘They have also installed a solar power system to run previously idle medical equipment and provide reliable lighting at the health centre, improving medical services in the district,’ Dr Wandera said.
Malaria remains common
Dr Wandera said malaria remains among the most common diseases reported in the district, alongside respiratory infections, particularly among children, and gastrointestinal illnesses.
Despite the intervention, health workers and residents say more investment is needed in infrastructure, beds, diagnostic equipment and other essential services.
With Kiyunga Health Centre IV serving as a major referral facility for lower-level health centres and private clinics, stakeholders say strengthening its capacity would improve healthcare delivery and ease pressure on Luuka District’s health system.