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NWSC disconnects water supply to Pajule Health Centre IV over sh2.6m bill
Dr. Denis Odongkara, the in-charge of Pajule Health Centre IV, confirmed that the facility has been without piped water for the past two weeks.
The disconnection, which has for two weeks now left the facility without water, forced health workers and patients to rely on alternative water sources. (File photo)
By: Christopher Nyeko, Journalist @New Vision
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The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has disconnected water supply to Pajule Health Centre IV in Pader District over an outstanding water bill of sh2.6m.
The disconnection, which has for two weeks now left the facility without water, forced health workers and patients to rely on alternative water sources.
Dr. Denis Odongkara, the in-charge of Pajule Health Centre IV, confirmed that the facility has been without piped water for the past two weeks.
The maternity and laboratory units are among the most affected, yet they require a constant supply of water to operate.
With the piped water disconnected, patients and community members are now spending hours queuing up at the health centre’s single borehole, which serves both the facility and the surrounding community.
Brilliant Tito Okello, the Pajule Town Council Chairperson, told New Vision online that the health centre’s water bill has continued to rise because community members access water from the facility.
Okello said Pajule Health Centre IV receives an allocation of sh0.5m quarter for water, but the current bill has risen to sh2.6m, making the allocated funds insufficient.
He said local authorities have asked NWSC to reconnect water to critical sections, particularly the maternity and laboratory units, to prevent disruption of health services.
Okello said the authorities also plan to sensitise residents on the need to repair and maintain their own boreholes, which have been non-functional for the past two years.
Brilliant Tito Okello, the Pajule Town Council Chairperson, told New Vision online that the health centre’s water bill has continued to rise because community members access water from the facility.
Okello said Pajule Health Centre IV receives an allocation of sh0.5m quarter for water, but the current bill has risen to sh2.6m, making the allocated funds insufficient.
He said local authorities have asked NWSC to reconnect water to critical sections, particularly the maternity and laboratory units, to prevent disruption of health services.
Okello said the authorities also plan to sensitise residents on the need to repair and maintain their own boreholes, which have been non-functional for the past two years.
He said they will also strengthen security at the health centre to prevent unauthorised access by the community members to its water supply.
Pajule Health Centre IV serves an average of 250 patients daily through its outpatient and inpatient departments.
Patrick Okumu, the NWSC manager for Pader Branch, said after a meeting with the Pajule health centre administration, the corporation agreed to reconnect water to the critical units.
Okumu criticised the management of Pajule Health Centre IV for diverting funds meant for essential utilities, including water, to other activities.
He urged the health centre administration to prioritise payment of the water bill, warning that health services could be severely affected without a reliable water supply.
He added that NWSC has not yet established the total outstanding water bill for Pajule Health Centre IV because the facility operates three separate water accounts.
Pajule Health Centre IV serves an average of 250 patients daily through its outpatient and inpatient departments.
Patrick Okumu, the NWSC manager for Pader Branch, said after a meeting with the Pajule health centre administration, the corporation agreed to reconnect water to the critical units.
Okumu criticised the management of Pajule Health Centre IV for diverting funds meant for essential utilities, including water, to other activities.
He urged the health centre administration to prioritise payment of the water bill, warning that health services could be severely affected without a reliable water supply.
He added that NWSC has not yet established the total outstanding water bill for Pajule Health Centre IV because the facility operates three separate water accounts.