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Kibaale Health Center IV
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Kibaale Health Centre IV in Kibaale District is struggling with a shortage of delivery beds and space in its maternity ward, impacting the quality of maternal services. The facility serves the districts of Kibaale, Kagadi, and Kakumiro. Jackson Mbeta, the district's inventory management officer, revealed that the health centre is overwhelmed by the high number of expectant mothers seeking services. On average, six to eight mothers deliver at the facility daily, while over 30 women seek antenatal care services.
Currently, the health centre has only one delivery bed, which is in poor condition. Mbeta said that when more than two women arrive to give birth at the same time, some are forced to deliver on the floor due to the lack of beds. "When we have more than two deliveries at once, we sometimes deliver the others on the floor," Mbeta explained. He added that due to limited space, mothers in relatively good condition are sent home shortly after delivery to make room for others.
Some of the equipment in Kibaale Health Center IV
Mbeta also highlighted the facility’s lack of essential equipment, further complicating its ability to provide adequate services. The entire district does not have a hospital, and Kibaale Health Centre IV handles all referrals. Complications often require the transfer of patients to Hoima Hospital for surgery, as the centre lacks the capacity to perform such operations on-site.
He appealed to the government to provide critical health equipment, emphasizing the large population that the facility serves. Mbeta noted that both the maternity ward and delivery room are currently improvised by the management.
"The authorities should consider purchasing more delivery beds. Most mothers deliver on the floor and are forced to return home to create space for others," he said.
Kibaale Health Center IV
On Monday, Andrew Byakutaga, the Prime Minister of the Bunyoro Kingdom, handed over two delivery beds and two sterilizing machines to the facility. The items were purchased by the kingdom using proceeds from this year’s Empango run.
"Over the years, we have supported health facilities across the kingdom. When we realized that Kibaale Health Centre IV was facing challenges in the maternity ward, we decided to purchase these items with money raised from the Empango run," Byakutaga said.
He added that the equipment would help improve maternal health services at the facility, where many women had been forced to deliver on the ground. "The Omukama directed us to support the health sector throughout the kingdom, and so far, we have assisted facilities in Masindi, Kikuube, Buliisa, Kiryandongo, and Kagadi," Byakutaga said.
According to the Ministry of Health standards, a Health Centre IV should provide services similar to a Health Centre III, but also include wards for men, women, and children, with the ability to admit patients. It should also have a senior medical officer, another doctor, and a theatre for emergency operations.
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