Nakaseke District Health Officer Urges Ministry to Elevate Butalangu Health Center III. 

Dr. Simon Aliga, the District Health Officer of Nakaseke, has called upon the Ministry of Health to consider elevating Butalangu Health Center III to Health Center IV status in response to the growing health challenges faced by the community.

He  made the appeal during a handover ceremony of medical equipment worth Shs. 25 million, donated by Stanbic Bank through its corporate social responsibility initiative, "Love October."

The donation included essential items such as refrigerators, Maama Kits for pregnant mothers, BP machines, delivery beds and others.

These contributions are expected to enhance healthcare services at Butalangu Health Center III and Wakyato Health Center II, which are currently struggling to meet the demands of the local population.

"The health center is fit for elevation," Dr. Aliga emphasised, explaining that the facility meets the Ministry of Health’s criteria for upgrading.

"It has enough land over five acres and is located near the district headquarters. Moreover, Nakaseke Central, as a constituency, lacks a Health Center IV, which complicates referrals and emergencies."

He noted that upgrading the center would reduce the burden on residents who currently travel long distances to access advanced healthcare services.

Dr. Aliga reiterated the pressing need for an ambulance, stressing that the lack of a Health Center IV in Nakaseke Central has hindered effective healthcare delivery, especially in emergencies.

"Without a Health Center IV, we face serious challenges with referrals and emergency response. An upgrade would make a significant difference in how we serve our community," he said.

The donation from Stanbic Bank is expected to boost service delivery but local leaders and health officials agree that upgrading the facility is crucial for addressing the long-term healthcare needs of the community.

"We are grateful for this support, but we also hope the government takes immediate action to elevate this facility so that we can meet the growing health demands in Nakaseke," Dr. Aliga concluded.

Several residents shared their concerns about the current state of healthcare in the district. Brian Kasozi, a resident of Butalangu village expressed the need for more privacy at the facility, particularly for HIV/AIDS patients.

"We would appreciate it if the facility was partitioned to offer more privacy, especially for sensitive cases like HIV/AIDS," Kasozi remarked.

Others requested the construction of a fence around the health center to improve security.

The ceremony was attended by several leaders, including State Minister for Kampala, Kabuye Kyofatogabye, who praised Stanbic Bank for its timely support.

"I commend Stanbic for this initiative. It is crucial that people in Nakaseke make use of these public health facilities, which are free and equipped to serve them," said Kyofatogabye.

He also vowed to escalate the request for the health center’s elevation to the relevant authorities.

"I will ensure the Ministry of Health is aware of the urgent need for this upgrade and other healthcare challenges facing this area," he added.