Following the public outcry over the poor conditions of government health centres, the Bank of Uganda (BoU) has offered to champion the cause by donating medical equipment and renovating some of the medical facilities in the country.

According to BOU head of media relations Sylvia Juuko, this is part of the corporate social responsibility the institution is extending to health facilities that are urgently in need.

Juuko and her team on Monday, while visiting Kyanamukaaka Health Centre IV, said this is mostly to improve child and maternal health and other related issues, such as establishing a convenient environment where patients can get medical attention in time.

The bank has since renovated the outpatient building (OPD), the patients' ward, the children’s ward, the women's ward, the male ward, the dispensary, consultation rooms, stores and offices. Renovation of the laboratory, painting of the maternity ward, and provision of a water harvest system

The medical equipment

Juuko revealed that the bank has also donated 12 paediatric mattresses with PVC, 12 paediatric beds with castors and drip stands, 12 adult mattresses with PVC, 12 adult patient beds with backrests, one infant warmer and an ultrasound scanner.

Also donated were delivery instrument sets and two caesarean sets, one resuscitation ambu bag for adults, one centrifuge, one ultrasound Gel (five litres), four Portable drip stands on castors, an oxygen concentrator, an evacuation set (dilation and curettage), baby resuscitation kit, ward screen four panel, three infant weighing scales with height boards, electric suction pump, among others.

A pregnant woman is being checked with a Ultrasound Scan Machine donated by Bank of Uganda. (Photo By Colleb Mugume)

Not only benefitiary

Kyanamukaka is not the only hospital that has received donations from BoU. The Bank has since 2019 handed over the nine renovated health centres: Bwizibwera HCIV in Mbarara district, Ayivuni HCIII in Arua district, Omel HCII in Gulu district, Nakaloke HCIII in Mbale district, Budondo HCIV in Jinja city, Hamurwa HCIV in Rubanda, Rutete HCIII in Fort Portal city and Rubaya HCIV in Kabale district.

Dr Joseph Katungi, the in-charge of Kyanamukaka HCIV, commended what he termed as BOU's great work, saying that the donations were timely.

(L-R) Dr. Joseph Katungi the facility in-charge, Sarah Nyachwo Project Manager/Coordinator BoU outreach programs and Slyvia Juuko touring the children ward that was renovated by the BoU and installed hospital beds at Kyanamukaka Health Centre IV in Masaka district. (Photo by Colleb Mugume)

Katungi added that the renovated centre has enhanced the availability of quality services closer to the mothers in the Kyanamukaka sub-county.

"It relieved expectant mothers from travelling far distances (about 30 kilometres) to the Masaka Regional Referral Hospital," he said.

He noted that one of the key pieces of equipment delivered was the ultrasound machine, which has greatly aided medical diagnosis, especially in the areas of gynaecology and obstetrics.

"Mothers are able to do scans at the facility, hence saving them the 30km journey to Masaka city," he said.