Health facilities handicapped
Apr 05, 2009
MIRANDA, a tourist, was travelling from Sipi Falls, to Kampala when her car rammed into a stationary lorry at Kawolo, Lugazi. Miranda would have survived had there been timely intervention, but she succumbed to Uganda’s ailing health system that can har
By Irene Nabusoba
MIRANDA, a tourist, was travelling from Sipi Falls, to Kampala when her car rammed into a stationary lorry at Kawolo, Lugazi. Miranda would have survived had there been timely intervention, but she succumbed to Uganda’s ailing health system that can hardly handle emergencies.
In Miranda’s case, the natives scrambled for her belongings as she cried in pain. Michael, who was travelling to Kampala, took her to the nearest clinic, but could not get help because it was being manned by a midwife who was not qualified to handle such a case.
He rushed Miranda to Kawolo Hospital, but the doctor in charge had gone to join his family in Kampala for the weekend. “Take her to Mulago Hospital since you have a car. There is a power black-out and our generator has no fuel,†the midwife said.
Michael requested for an ambulance, which served almost the whole eastern region, but it had broken down. Besides, it did not have the basics. Nonetheless, he drove her to Mulago, but she died on arrival.
With accidents contributing to the bulk of patients in health facilities, the health ministry has little to offer in terms of experience and response to the increasing road accidents.
Dr. Jancinto Amandua, the commissioner of clinical services in the health ministry, says: “Not many of our hospitals are prepared to handle emergencies. Our facilities cannot handle patients in critical conditions.â€
He urges the Government to improve physical facilities, redesign and facilitate them to manage emergencies.
“This is our focus as we celebrate the World Health Day,†he says.
The global event celebrated every April 7, will this year fall under the theme, “Save lives. Make hospitals safe in emergencies.â€
“We are going by the global theme because it is also relevant to us. We are looking at the competence of health workers, their availability and access, safety of hospital environments and availability of medicine and medical equipment. These impact on the safety of patients, which is critical for any health system,†Amandua explains.
Coordinators and organisers of the World Health Day 2009 say the theme focuses on the resilience and safety of health facilities and the health workers who treat emergency cases.
Events worldwide will highlight successes, advocate safe facilities and build momentum for widespread emergency preparedness. “Health centres and staff are critical lifelines for vulnerable people in disasters — treating injuries, preventing illnesses and caring for people’s health needs.
“They are cornerstones for primary healthcare in communities — meeting everyday needs, such as safe childbirth services and immunisation that must continue in emergencies. Often, the health systems are unable to function in times of disaster,†a press release says.
“This year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international partners are underscoring the importance of investing in health infrastructure that can withstand hazards and serve people in immediate need. They are also urging health facilities to implement systems to respond to internal emergencies and ensure the continuity of care.â€
Dr. Margaret Chan, the director general of the WHO, says: “People count on hospitals and health facilities to respond swiftly and efficiently as the lifeline for survival and the backbone of support.
“When a hospital collapses or its functions are disrupted, lives that depend on emergency care can be lost. Interruptions in routine services can also be deadly,†she remarks.
The WHO says although only 11% of the people exposed to natural hazards live in developing countries, they account for more than 53% of global deaths due to natural disasters.
Outbreaks of communicable diseases can spark emergencies that cause widespread deaths and suffering. In 12 months up to May 31, 2008, the WHO verified 162 outbreaks of infectious disease in 75 countries with more than a third in Africa.
Describing emergency medical care as medical attention given to a patient who needs timely attention, Amandua says Uganda is, particularly, plagued with epidemics like meningitis.
“In terms of management of epidemics, we are okay. We have gained a lot of experience over time, given their recurrent nature. But we need to construct special emergency units in hospitals and stock them with relevant equipment to manage emergencies like fires, injuries and accidents,†Amandua says.
He says the health ministry prioritised reproductive health to address emergency deliveries and post-abortion care and is in the process of ensuring that health centre IVs and IIIs are functional.
However, a WHO official says the health ministry is always ‘rhetoric’ about hospital improvements.
“During the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2007, we rushed to give a facelift to our facilities, but that was because the money was being provided by the organisers. Even then, a year later, everything was back to its sorry state. That should have been our kickboard, but when you visit our health facilities, even basic supplies like gloves, gauze, washing reagents or ordinary soap are not there,†he says.
He says rapid response units (teams charged with responding to emergencies) are only at the national level.
“At district level, they are either scanty, poorly-facilitated or non-existent. Even the concept of village health teams that the WHO recommends to fill this gap is failing.
“It is basic and significant for many health systems but without external funding, the Government cannot implement it,†he argues.
“Every facility should have an isolation unit in case of highly-infectious outbreaks but we only rush to create space, putting tents in fields to curb cholera. Health workers do not even have protective wear or stretchers for patients.â€
Nonetheless, Amandua says the health ministry was given a special budget to rehabilitate regional hospitals.
“We are in the process of procuring and supplying spare parts for donated equipment, which normally becomes redundant because of failure to maintain,†he says.
“We have a challenge of drug stock-outs and insufficient personnel. But the public has a role to play. They need to report early to minimise emergencies, observe traffic laws and help accident victims. Next time it might be you in the same situation,†he warns.
MIRANDA, a tourist, was travelling from Sipi Falls, to Kampala when her car rammed into a stationary lorry at Kawolo, Lugazi. Miranda would have survived had there been timely intervention, but she succumbed to Uganda’s ailing health system that can hardly handle emergencies.
In Miranda’s case, the natives scrambled for her belongings as she cried in pain. Michael, who was travelling to Kampala, took her to the nearest clinic, but could not get help because it was being manned by a midwife who was not qualified to handle such a case.
He rushed Miranda to Kawolo Hospital, but the doctor in charge had gone to join his family in Kampala for the weekend. “Take her to Mulago Hospital since you have a car. There is a power black-out and our generator has no fuel,†the midwife said.
Michael requested for an ambulance, which served almost the whole eastern region, but it had broken down. Besides, it did not have the basics. Nonetheless, he drove her to Mulago, but she died on arrival.
With accidents contributing to the bulk of patients in health facilities, the health ministry has little to offer in terms of experience and response to the increasing road accidents.
Dr. Jancinto Amandua, the commissioner of clinical services in the health ministry, says: “Not many of our hospitals are prepared to handle emergencies. Our facilities cannot handle patients in critical conditions.â€
He urges the Government to improve physical facilities, redesign and facilitate them to manage emergencies.
“This is our focus as we celebrate the World Health Day,†he says.
The global event celebrated every April 7, will this year fall under the theme, “Save lives. Make hospitals safe in emergencies.â€
“We are going by the global theme because it is also relevant to us. We are looking at the competence of health workers, their availability and access, safety of hospital environments and availability of medicine and medical equipment. These impact on the safety of patients, which is critical for any health system,†Amandua explains.
Coordinators and organisers of the World Health Day 2009 say the theme focuses on the resilience and safety of health facilities and the health workers who treat emergency cases.
Events worldwide will highlight successes, advocate safe facilities and build momentum for widespread emergency preparedness. “Health centres and staff are critical lifelines for vulnerable people in disasters — treating injuries, preventing illnesses and caring for people’s health needs.
“They are cornerstones for primary healthcare in communities — meeting everyday needs, such as safe childbirth services and immunisation that must continue in emergencies. Often, the health systems are unable to function in times of disaster,†a press release says.
“This year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international partners are underscoring the importance of investing in health infrastructure that can withstand hazards and serve people in immediate need. They are also urging health facilities to implement systems to respond to internal emergencies and ensure the continuity of care.â€
Dr. Margaret Chan, the director general of the WHO, says: “People count on hospitals and health facilities to respond swiftly and efficiently as the lifeline for survival and the backbone of support.
“When a hospital collapses or its functions are disrupted, lives that depend on emergency care can be lost. Interruptions in routine services can also be deadly,†she remarks.
The WHO says although only 11% of the people exposed to natural hazards live in developing countries, they account for more than 53% of global deaths due to natural disasters.
Outbreaks of communicable diseases can spark emergencies that cause widespread deaths and suffering. In 12 months up to May 31, 2008, the WHO verified 162 outbreaks of infectious disease in 75 countries with more than a third in Africa.
Describing emergency medical care as medical attention given to a patient who needs timely attention, Amandua says Uganda is, particularly, plagued with epidemics like meningitis.
“In terms of management of epidemics, we are okay. We have gained a lot of experience over time, given their recurrent nature. But we need to construct special emergency units in hospitals and stock them with relevant equipment to manage emergencies like fires, injuries and accidents,†Amandua says.
He says the health ministry prioritised reproductive health to address emergency deliveries and post-abortion care and is in the process of ensuring that health centre IVs and IIIs are functional.
However, a WHO official says the health ministry is always ‘rhetoric’ about hospital improvements.
“During the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2007, we rushed to give a facelift to our facilities, but that was because the money was being provided by the organisers. Even then, a year later, everything was back to its sorry state. That should have been our kickboard, but when you visit our health facilities, even basic supplies like gloves, gauze, washing reagents or ordinary soap are not there,†he says.
He says rapid response units (teams charged with responding to emergencies) are only at the national level.
“At district level, they are either scanty, poorly-facilitated or non-existent. Even the concept of village health teams that the WHO recommends to fill this gap is failing.
“It is basic and significant for many health systems but without external funding, the Government cannot implement it,†he argues.
“Every facility should have an isolation unit in case of highly-infectious outbreaks but we only rush to create space, putting tents in fields to curb cholera. Health workers do not even have protective wear or stretchers for patients.â€
Nonetheless, Amandua says the health ministry was given a special budget to rehabilitate regional hospitals.
“We are in the process of procuring and supplying spare parts for donated equipment, which normally becomes redundant because of failure to maintain,†he says.
“We have a challenge of drug stock-outs and insufficient personnel. But the public has a role to play. They need to report early to minimise emergencies, observe traffic laws and help accident victims. Next time it might be you in the same situation,†he warns.