HEALTH | RUBANDA | BOU

RUBANDA - Bank of Uganda (BOU) has handed over renovated Hamurwa Health Centre IV to Rubanda district officials. 

A renovated maternity ward facility and an assortment of medical supplies were among the things BOU handled over to authorities. 

The medical equipment included Ultra Sound Scan, Complete Blood Count (CBC) machine, 15 beds and mattresses, hand washing equipment, Gloves, Liquid soaps, among others.

According to the Rubanda District Health Officer, Dr. Abdon Birungi, service delivery at the Health centre has been limited by poor infrastructure. 

He is optimistic that with the boost from the Bank, a better experience will be realised.

“This Health Centre attracts over 100 mothers who come to deliver from here every month and 15% of these undergo caesarian section operations. We have 2 specialized doctors in maternal operations and what we lacked was infrastructure but with this support, we expect the best in our service delivery,” he said.

Henry Musasizi Ariganyira, the state minister of finance in charge of General duties, also the Member of Parliament Rubanda East in his address expressed his gratitude to the BOU for extending and enabling this project in the area.

Susan Kanyemibwa, the BOU secretary said that they did the upgrade in fulfillment of their community social responsibility.

“Some of you may only associate the Bank of Uganda with providing the currency that you use to transact. But this ceremony demonstrates that we go beyond issuance of currency and other roles; the Bank purposefully partners with the communities nationally through our Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives,” she said.

Michael Atingi-Ego, the Deputy Governor Bank of Uganda who presided over the handover ceremony said that their response was as a result of an outcry by local authorities over a crisis in their Health care systems.

Mothers speak out

Sarah Ainembabazi from Isingiro village in Igomanda parish, Hamurwa Sub-county was found at Hamurwa Health Centre for her second maternal experience. 

“I remember that time because of the struggle we went through. The health officers were caring however there was no space for accommodation. 

Most of us the expectant mothers were sleeping on the ground. I even failed to raise money to go for scanning services in Kabale district. I was just lucky to deliver amidst such a complicated situation,” said Ainembabazi.

With the upgrade of the maternity ward, Ainembabazi expressed hope that her forthcoming baby would meet a better reception than the previous one.

To Agnes Tushemerirwe, the boost to the maternity ward was a dream realised for the mothers who had no hope for better conditions.