Insigiro's Rwekubo health centre IV to wait longer before elevation to district hospital

Residents and medics in Isingiro district could wait a lot bit longer for government to elevate Rwekubo health centre IV to a district hospital.

While this facility works a referral for all the health units in the district, but state minister for animal husbandry also the area member of parliament Bright Rwamirama says the policy of government is yet to warrant it's upgrade.

"This health center should have been elevated into a district hospital but it has been a policy of government but it's not because Isingiro is disadvantaged," Rwamirama said.

This facility is located a few kilometers from Isingiro town, Rwekubo HCIV and it is considered the most central health facility in Isingiro district which also at the same time works a referral hospital for it's sister health units.

The facility was initially meant to provide health services to a population of 70000 patients but it has since gone beyond 300,000 including refugees from Nakivale amidst challenges.

"We have limited drugs and MRI (Medical teams international) and government are yet to supply but we remain hopeful" Dr Naboth Mugarura, the health in charge said.

The facility currently receives support from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and medical teams international that compliments gov't but their service are yet to satisfy the growing patient population.

A few years ago, the Isingiro district council passed a resolution asking the government to upgrade Rwekubo health centre IV to a district hospital but this request is yet to be honoured.

This has meant increased pressure on Mbarara regional referral hospital.

"Whereas it's a health centre IV ,what I can tell you it is a hospital haven't you seen? But we are still working with the ministry of health to elevate it into a district hospital because currently it serves as our referral unit of this district," Rwamirama said.

Isingiro district has many health center 111s and IVs but many of these are yet to function to their required standards due to various challenges.

Reports indicate that the district has recently faced increasing cases of maternal deaths which has since compelled leaders to seek for immediate solutions.

Part of these solutions were to provide assorted medical materials, delivery mattresses, refrigerators to keep medicines, mama kits and intensified campaigns to promote antenatal care services to pregnant women.

"There a public outcry of mothers dying with giving birth here in our district so we are here again to talk to the patients, the women to remind them of the need to do antenatal care during pregnancy to ensure they avoid subsequent complications."

 

 

Medical records indicate that Rwekubo HCIV delivers at least 370 mothers per month among which about 115 are operated upon due to pregnancy complications.