The end of an era of wastage in Ntungamo District was celebrated by Medical staff, local leaders, and residents in Ntungamo Municipality
Ntungamo Health Centre IV successfully conducted its first-ever surgical operations-two cesarean sections-since its establishment in 1993.
The theater was constructed in 2018, but it remained non-functional until medics borrowed essential equipment from nearby health facilities.
Despite being constructed to be the largest health facility in the municipality, for 7 years the center had never conducted surgery.
Dr Kenneth Ayebazibwe, spokesperson
for doctors in Ntungamo District, said the issue was a major concern among local medical professionals, as the health center contributed the highest number of referrals to Itojo Hospital for surgical procedures.
“We receive most of our referrals from Ntungamo Health Centre IV at Itojo Hospital. When our new District Health Officer (DHO) arrived, we convened as 20 doctors in the district and agreed that making this theater operational was a priority. Today, we thank God it has been achieved,” Dr. Ayebazibwe told us.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Group and Receive Daily News
Celebration as it is, the first operations were made possible after equipment was borrowed from Itojo Hospital and several health centers, including Karuruma, Rwashamaire, Kitwe, and Rubaare. The mechanism for the borrowing is yet to be ascertained.
Medical workers said they had been waiting for the Ministry of Health to deliver the necessary theater equipment, but delays prompted them to take action.
“We have been requesting theatre equipment from the ministry, but it has not yet arrived. To avoid further delays, we improvised by borrowing from other facilities to get started,” Dr. Ayebazibwe added.
Ntungamo Health Centre IV is among the busiest facilities in the district, handling over 5,000 patients per month, with at least 130 deliveries.
According to the district health management system, it receives the third-highest number of patients among the 48 health units in the district due to its central location.
The health unit management committee chairperson, Wilson Byamukama Mukiga, said the delayed delivery of theatre equipment had forced many mothers to be referred elsewhere, despite the presence of qualified doctors at the facility.
“The Ministry of Health’s delay in providing theatre equipment has been a major concern. We are relieved that our doctors can now perform surgeries instead of referring patients,” Mr. Mukiga said.
Meanwhile, the municipal health officer, Dr. James Ndyanabo, expressed concern over staffing shortages.
“Our structure requires 155 medical workers, but we only have 32 on payroll.
This staffing gap will remain a challenge even as we operationalize the theater. We urge the government to address this issue to ensure proper healthcare delivery,” Dr. Ndyanabo said.
Ntungamo District Health Officer Dr. Amon Bahati encouraged medics to continue working together to enhance service delivery despite the existing challenges.
The two mothers who underwent surgery were overjoyed, with their attendants making celebratory phone calls to family members.
A total of 12 doctors participated in the historic theater session.
Also Read: Authorities Launch Investigations as Anthrax Kills Two in Kazo
