By URN
Masindi Port Health Center III in Masindi Port sub-county, Kiryandongo district is currently experiencing an acute shortage of essential drugs and medical supplies.
According to information obtained by Uganda Radio Network, the health facility has been experiencing a stockout of essential medicines since January this year, which has affected service delivery to the locals.
The facility in charge, Denis Okello, states that they lack essential medicines such as antibiotics, anti-malaria drugs, vaccines, and supplies such as syringes, gloves, catheters, and gauze among others. The drug shortage is attributed to delayed delivery by the National Medical Stores-NMS.
The delivery of medicines to the hospital was scheduled for January but was changed to February, causing a shortfall as the number of patients visiting the health center for treatment had doubled. According to Winnie Lucky, a nurse at the health center, the delayed delivery of drugs has greatly hampered effective service delivery to their clients.
She added that on a monthly basis, at least 30 mothers deliver from the health facility.
Residents neighboring the facility, such as Christopher Ongiertho and Florence Aneno, have expressed concerns over long waiting hours and insufficient health services.
Additionally, the facility operates without electricity, making it challenging for midwives to help mothers deliver during the night hours, and at times, torches are used.
Efforts to get a comment from Sheila Nduhukire, the communications manager at the National Medical Stores-NMS, were futile as her known mobile telephone number could not go through by the time of publishing this story.
