UPDF gets Tuberclosis ward, pharmacy

By Evelyne Nalule

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces have received a General Tuberculosis Ward and a pharmacy to cater for the army and over ten districts including Kiboga, Luwero, Nakasongola, Amulata, Masindi,Kiryandongo, and Nakaseke among others.

Commissioning the ward at the General Military Hospital, Land Forces headquarters, Bombo last week, Maj. Gen. Wilson Mbadi, who is the UPDF joint Chief of staff, applauded staff of National Medical Stores and the army's engineering department for the work well done.

  Maj. Gen. Wilson Mbadi and other officers inspect the pharmacy.

Lt. Col. Nobert Kabugo, the Acting Director of General Military Hospital said the construction of the TB Ward beganin 2012 by the Engineering Brigade.

He said that other works are a result of efforts by partners such as National Medical Stores, RTI and resources locally saved at General Medical Hospital (GMH).

Kabugo said because of the remodeling of the pharmacy, 360m2 of floor space was availed for holding of items, installation of shelves, louvers and air conditioning in the pharmacy, to improve the safe keeping of drugs and other items.

The commisioned pharmacy of the General Military Hospital, Land Forces Headquarters, Bombo 

Creation of the isolation ward will enhance capacity to handle TB patients with better infection control.

However he revealed that the hospital still faces a problem interrupted of power supply.

“The hospital was connected to UMEME supply via a 50VA transformer. This transformer was too small considering the hospital load and it blew on May 2, 2015. The hospital is currently sourcing power from a transformer near the quarter guard belonging to a private company and occasionally from our small capacity generator. The supply in total is inadequate and frequently leads to equipment breakdown."

Army officers inspecting the newly commissioned facility

The requisitions for replacement of both the transformer and the generator were sent out early May to the relevant offices. We are awaiting a response,” Kabugo said.

Dan Kimosho, the spokesperson for National Medical Stores (NMS) said they are challenged by the dollar rate which has made accessing drugs costly.

Kimosho revealed that NMS purchases drugs from abroad in dollars but yet the budget was passed in Uganda shillings. With the shilling taking a battering from the dollar, fewer drugs are bought for the patients.

He said NMS calls upon the ministry of finance to intercede.