Water shortages and overwhelming patient numbers are severely affecting service delivery at Ishongororo Health Centre IV in Ishongororo Town Council, Ibanda District, forcing patients to buy water and leaving health workers struggling to maintain basic hygiene standards.
The facility, which receives more than 170 patients daily, currently relies on rainwater harvesting and a shallow well after an unreliable supply from the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). The shortage has disrupted cleaning, patient care and general sanitation.
According to the Officer-in-Charge of the facility, Dr. Wilson Birungi, the intermittent water supply has significantly affected hospital operations.
“Although the facility is connected to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, water only comes occasionally. This has greatly affected hygiene in the wards and the cleaning of the facility. Patients are now forced to buy a jerrycan of water for about Shs1,000, which is an extra burden on many of them,” Dr Birungi said.
He also raised concern over persistent congestion in the Outpatient Department (OPD), saying the rising number of patients is overwhelming available staff and infrastructure.
“The OPD receives far more patients than it was designed to handle. This has resulted in long waiting hours and increased pressure on our health workers,” he added.
Ibanda District Health Officer, Dr Julius Bamwine, acknowledged both the water shortage and congestion challenges, saying the district is engaging NWSC to secure a lasting solution to the water supply problem.
“We have already discussed the water challenge with the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, and we expect a lasting solution. Regarding congestion, some of the delays are caused by health workers reporting late for duty. If staff report on time, patients can be attended to much earlier as we continue plans to increase staffing at the facility,” he said.
Ibanda District LCV Chairperson Happy Herbert Mayanja also reaffirmed the district’s commitment to improving health services, calling for urgent investment in the facility.
“Ishongororo Health Centre IV plays a critical role in serving not only residents of northern Ibanda but also patients from neighbouring districts. It deserves greater investment to match the demand for services,” Mayanja said.
The facility serves as the main public hospital-level health centre for northern Ibanda District and also receives patients from surrounding districts.
With Ibanda lacking a fully-fledged public district hospital, the centre continues to operate beyond capacity, prompting renewed calls from local leaders for its upgrade to district hospital status.
