Health
Health Commissioner decries understaffing in govt health facilities
Mugahi said a report by the Equal Opportunities Commission noted that there is a deficit of 96 per cent of specialists in government facilities, with only about 307 specialists available for the entire country, yet 8,272 specialists are required nationally.
Mugahi said the drastic increase in the number of mothers giving birth in government facilities over the years has put a lot of pressure on those facilities. (Credit: Jovita Mirembe)
By: Jovita Mirembe, Journalist @New Vision
Although the Government has tried to procure and distribute essential maternal, reproductive, and child healthcare commodities to over 3,000 public health facilities across the country, the problem of understaffing in these facilities still remains a challenge, Dr Richard Mugahi, the Commissioner for reproductive, maternal and child health at the health ministry, has said.
Speaking during an interview with New Vision online on the sidelines of the event where Rotary Foundation donated maternal and child health care equipment worth sh2.2b on July 13, Mugahi said government health facilities are facing a serious labour force deficiency.
He said only about 32% to 68% of approved staff positions in public health facilities are currently filled across the country.
Mugahi said a report by the Equal Opportunities Commission noted that there is a deficit of 96 per cent of specialists in government facilities, with only about 307 specialists available for the entire country, yet 8,272 specialists are required nationally.
Mugahi said this reveals severe understaffing, with many district health facilities operating with staff shortages ranging from 30% to over 75% depending on the region and facility.
Mugahi said a report by the Equal Opportunities Commission noted that there is a deficit of 96 per cent of specialists in government facilities, with only about 307 specialists available for the entire country, yet 8,272 specialists are required nationally.
Mugahi said this reveals severe understaffing, with many district health facilities operating with staff shortages ranging from 30% to over 75% depending on the region and facility.
"According to Ministry of Health statistics, the Doctor-to-Patient Ratio is approximately 1:25,000, which is far below the recommendation of the World Health Organisation (WHO) of 1:1,000, and the Nurse-to-Patient Ratio of 1:11,000. The imbalance is much more severe for specialists as government hospitals operate with only 4% of the required personnel in that field," he said.
Mugahi said the drastic increase in the number of mothers giving birth in government facilities over the years has put a lot of pressure on those facilities.
"More mothers are coming to government facilities because drugs and equipment are available, but health workers are needed urgently to fill the gap in treating the big number," he observed.
Mugahi said the ministry would work out a programme to consider recruiting skilled midwives, birth attendants and doctors in the next financial year in order to curb the understaffing challenge.
Mugahi said the drastic increase in the number of mothers giving birth in government facilities over the years has put a lot of pressure on those facilities.
"More mothers are coming to government facilities because drugs and equipment are available, but health workers are needed urgently to fill the gap in treating the big number," he observed.
Mugahi said the ministry would work out a programme to consider recruiting skilled midwives, birth attendants and doctors in the next financial year in order to curb the understaffing challenge.