Nkozi Hospital emergency ward construction kicks off

Dec 12, 2016

State minister Opendi urges religious leaders to address the problem of the daily road carnage.

Following a whole year of planning, the construction of the sh655m Nkozi Hospital accident emergency ward officially started with the ground-breaking ceremony at Nkozi along Kampala-Masaka road.

Minister of State for Primary Healthcare Sarah Achieng Opendi, who represented Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, officiated over the event.

Notable in attendance was the Vicar General of Kampala Archdiocese Charles Kasibante, who represented the Archbishop Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga.

In her delivery, minister Opendi urged religious leaders to address the problem of the daily road carnage that have claimed peoples' lives.

She said road accidents have become a major problem to the government and urged the clergy to "tell people to drive carefully and respect other road users".

Her reasoning was that "people listen" to religious leaders.

As well as voicing her concern over road use under the influence of alcohol, the minister urged the public to test for HIV and encouraged those on anti-retroviral treatment to remain committed to taking the life-saving drugs.

Hailing the move by Nkozi Hospital to build the emergency accident ward, Opendi pledged that the Government will give assistance towards their project since it is the only hospital in the area that has the capacity to accommodate emergency accidents.

"I thank the sisters of Immaculate Heart Ggogonya for running these [hospital] facilities very well."

The function started with Mass led by Msgr Kasibante assisted by many other priests.

On his part, Kasibante said the ground-breaking ceremony is the start of a huge task of building the ward and renovating the hospital.

Out of sh655m needed for the project, the health facility so far has sh120m in its coffers, according to Sr Teddy Nakyanzi, the hospital administrator.

They also have some materials that have been donated by well-wishers.

"There is a high demand for such a unit as the hospital is located near the Kampala-Masaka highway which has for long been an accident-prone route - at least 15 to 20 travelers fall victim every week."

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