St. Francis Hospital Buluba gets a safe water plant

By Abou Kisige

Patients of Buluba hospital have reason to smile following the commissioning of a sh350m safe water plant at the public health facility in Mayuge, Eastern Uganda.

The project was funded by Water Missions International headquartered in Charleston USA, and implemented in conjunction with Mayuge district local government and St Francis Hospital Buluba administration.
 
The water project was commissioned by the National Coordinator of the Neglected Tropical Diseases Dr. Edridah Tukahebwa who doubles as the in-charge of the Vector Control Division at the Ministry of Health.
 
Tukahebwa said Water piping systems in medical facilities must be of highest quality and have to be installed with surgical precision.
 
"Ideally the public we serve expects the highest standards from medical practitioners and the equipment they use which stands to good reason that behind-the-wall services like water supply in a medical centre should also be of the highest quality", Tukahebwa said.
 
She lauded Water Missions Uganda for ensuring constant safe water supply to the hospital which is as old as 1934.
 
Currently St. Francis Hospital Buluba attends to all general medical problems however they are experts in handling patients with leprosy and tuberculosis.

The hospital has maintained a prosthetic unit, one of the few in the country.

The National Coordinator of the Neglected Tropical Diseases Dr. Edridah Tukahebwa (centre), the Medical Superintendent Dr. Henry Kalende (right) and the Country Director of Water Mission Uganda Michael Bazira (left) during the opening of the Water Treatment System at St. Francis Hospital Buluba in Mayuge district.

Dr. Henry Kalende, the Medical Superintendent said the hospital has been experiencing a water crisis which usually leaves health workers, patients, and their attendants sometimes stranded without any source of clean water.
 
Water Missions Uganda, an affiliate of Water Missions International has served over 80 rural communities with safe water country wide using water treatment technology known as the Living Water Treatment System (LWTS).
 
WMU Country Director Michael Bazira said beneficiaries of their projects include mainly people living in hard to reach areas because of their geographical location.
 
"Apart from the institutional Hospital projects of Nalufenya Children Hospital in Jinja, St. Francis Buluba Hospital in Mayuge, Kitagata Hospital in Sheema district and schools, WMU has provided safe water solutions to the Islands, landing sites and refugees settlements in Rwamwanja, Adjumani and Arua  in partnership with UNICEF and the Ministry of Water and Environment" Bazira said.
 
He said WMU is dedicated to transforming people's lives using the self-sustaining approach.
 
"WMU works together with the beneficiary communities and institutions to identify; plan, design and implement solar pumped piped safe water schemes as well as sanitation and hygiene improvement programs, "Bazira said.
 
Meanwhile WMU also commissioned sh150m safe water project in Kabawanga village in Kabila sub-county in Rakai district.
The LC V Chairperson of Rakai district Robert Benon Mugabi said the project is to serve over 4000 people.

He said the project will also serve education institutions including Grace Education Centre and Zaake Secondary School among others