PIC: Guests cutting cake after commissioning the ward.(Credit: Job Namanya)
HEALTH
KABALE - In a bid to improve healthcare services, the diocese of Kigezi has commissioned a multi-million patients ward at Rugarama ward.
The ward, which was constructed from a grant of sh350m from the Church Missionary Society, will house the surgical ward at the Church of Uganda-founded hospital.
According to Dr Gilbert Mateeka, the Rugarama hospital superintendent, there have been having accommodation challenges. He said with the new ward, patients will be able to get more space for treatment.
“Our maternity and surgical wards have been confined in one floor, but now we are going to separate the surgical from the maternity to allow more space for mothers who would wish to deliver from this facility,” Mateeka said.
Rev. Canon Reuben Byomuhangi, the diocesan construction committee chairperson said that they ensured quality output from the donation by ensuring transparency in the construction process of the ward.
“Our biggest achievement in this project was our ability to display the highest level of supervision which has ensured quality construction and thus the value for money,” he said.
Dr Nathan Nshakira, the chairperson board of directors for Rugarama Hospital, said the completion of this project is an assurance of improvement and growth for the hospital in its bid to offer better healthcare services for people in the region.
Bishop George Bagamuhunda of the diocese of Kigezi appreciated the Church Missionary Society for its continued support towards the diocesan development, especially in the health sector.
He noted that despite the existence of subsidised services at the hospital, most community members still struggle to afford them, especially in handling premature bodies and emergency surgical procedures.
Bagamuhunda also expressed concern over the increasing number of abandoned babies who spend their early years of life at the hospital instead of their homes.
“We do not have specialised services for abandoned children, but whenever they are brought here, we take care of their nutritional and health needs until authorities find better homes for them,” he said.
Darious Nandinda, the Kabale resident district commissioner, who represented the state minister for planning, David Bahati, hailed the church for using transparency in fulfilling its missions.
“Whenever the Government is constructing even a small latrine, a lot of money is always spent in pushing that, but with this money, the diocese was able to set up this structure,” he said.
Nandinda asked parents to encourage learners to study courses that help the country develop.
Bahati pledged sh10m towards the completion of the structure and further development at the hospital.
