By URN
Hoima Regional Referral Hospital is seeking 2.8 billion Shillings to purchase drugs and other medical supplies.
In the second quarter, the hospital was allocated 1.3 Billion Shillings to procure medicines and other medical supplies which according to the management is inadequate to cater to the overwhelming population.
The facility serves a population of 3.5 million people from the nine districts of Hoima, Buliisa, Kiryandongo, Kakumiro, Kagadi, Kibaale, Masindi, Kikuube, and Hoima City.
According to the hospital management, there is a shortage of anti-malaria drugs, antibiotics, vaccines, and medical supplies such as syringes, gloves, catheters, and gauze among others.
Dr. Sophie Namasopo, the Hospital Director says the inadequate budget for medicines and sundries has resulted in frequent drug stockouts. He adds that they are sometimes compelled to advise clients to purchase drugs from private health facilities.
The health facility also attends to refugees from Kyangwali and Kiryandongo settlement areas and those from the Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC, putting a burden on inadequate resources like medicines, ward space, and blood among other services.
According to Dr. Namasopo, the health facility in the 2021/2022 financial year targeted to attend to 4,500 referrals but the number rose to 5,034.
