Unisex hospital ward angers Kadaga

The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has decried the state of health services at Namasagali Health Centre III where women and men share a ward.

Kadaga noted that in such a setting, privacy is not observed a case she said undermines the dignity of a woman.

"When I was told that men and women share a ward, I was incensed, but I have talked to good Samaritans who will construct a ward for women" Kadaga said.

The Speaker also expressed concern about the inadequacy of medicine yet the officers in charge have a duty to demand basing on the needs of the health units they head.

State Minster for Karamoja affairs, Moses Kizige, quickly clarified on the matter saying, health centres have a limit beyond which they cannot go when making requisitions. 

Kadaga was speaking as the chief guest, during belated International Women's Day celebrations held at Kavule Primary School on Sunday in Kamuli District. 

Meanwhile, the LCV chairperson of Kamuli District, Thomas Kategere, said women in Busoga sub region are suffering in abject poverty because they don't have land ownership.

Kategere (R) chats with Kadaga during the celebrations. Photo by Geoffrey Namukoye

"Women are wrongfully perceived as land grabbers, and therefore men don't grant them full authority to exploit land for economic gain" Kategere noted.

He urged women to practice apiary, a venture he said demands little initial capital as compared to other lucrative economic activities.  

Kategere however blamed it on cultural beliefs which make land a preserve for men. 

Putting the day's theme; Women's Empowerment in the Changing World of Work, into context, the chairperson of Kamuli Women's Council, Madina Kiyingi, observed that women are sexual harassed at places of work and during job hunting.