Leaders and residents of Koboko District are urging the government to expedite the relocation of Koboko General Hospital to a new site in Midia Subcounty, citing severe congestion and an overwhelming number of patients at the current premises.
The hospital struggles to meet the high demand for medical services, as it not only serves the local population but also patients from neighboring South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and nearby refugee settlements.
Toroko Isaac, the district secretary for social services, raised concerns that overcrowding is affecting the quality of healthcare provided at the facility.
He emphasized that the hospital is overstretched and unable to offer efficient medical care due to the influx of patients beyond its capacity.
Leaders have called on the government to prioritize and fast-track the construction of the new site, which sits on a larger piece of land.
They argue that the new facility would not only provide more space but also improve healthcare delivery for the growing number of patients.
"The government must act swiftly to ease the strain on the hospital and ensure that healthcare in Koboko meets the needs of our people and those from neighboring countries," Toroko said.
"If you go to South Sudan, you can move over 3km without encountering any health centre, and the same applies to DR Congo. We serve all these populations. What can help us is the new site, but construction has taken 10 years to get where it is. We need support."
Leaders argue that relocating the hospital to the new site would significantly reduce congestion, improve service delivery, and cater to the expanding demand from the region and beyond.