Expectant mothers, people living with HIV/AIDS, sexual minorities and other patients seeking services at Ntara health Centre IV in Kitagwenda district in western Uganda have cried out to the government to purchase an ambulance for the health centre, as they struggle to access quality services at the facility due to this challenge.
The most affected services include the movement of patients from villages to the health centre or from the health centre to referral hospitals, which has increased chances of registering high maternal mortality rate.
The facility is the only one at the level of a health centre IV in the entire district, with the antenatal department receiving over 25 mothers monthly. The challenge is evident and felt in other parts of the district.
According to the Kitagwenda District Health Officer (DHO) Irene Kahimakazi while addressing locals during a community baraza this week, the district has only one private ambulance which was donated by the area district woman member of parliament-MP Dorothy Nyakato Nzibonera, and it is even expensive for the people who cannot afford to pay fuel for the vehicle in order to use it.
She says the district health department has already written letters to line ministries seeking for a government ambulance but all in vain.
All health facilities in the district and other areas have also been directed by the Health Ministry not to discriminate anyone seeking services in the wake of Uganda’s new anti-homosexuality act 2023, and war against sexual minorities. By Aaron Ainomugisha.
