By Edward Byamukama
Residents and leaders in Ndaiga Sub-County, Kagadi District, are urging the government to upgrade Ndaiga Health Center II to Health Center III to improve healthcare delivery. The facility, located on the shores of Lake Albert near the Democratic Republic of Congo, serves a population of over 9,435 people but remains overwhelmed and ill-equipped.
Patients, including Congolese nationals, endure long queues, with the facility seeing 100 to 300 patients daily. Expectant mothers face particularly high risks, often traveling 70 km by boat to Ntoroko Hospital to access antenatal and delivery services. Some women have given birth on the lake during the journey.
Bosco Okwai, a resident, said the situation is alarming as patients queue for long hours and sometimes leave untreated.
Ceaser Aduba, another resident, added that boat transport for expectant mothers is risky, with some women giving birth mid-journey, especially during bad weather.
Catherine Akumu reported that between January and March, three expectant mothers died while being transported to Ntoroko Hospital after referrals from Ndaiga Health Center II.
Sunday Riba, LCII Chairperson for Ndaiga Parish, said repeated appeals to district leadership have yielded no action, leaving residents feeling neglected and abandoned.
Luke Odaga, LCIII Chairperson for Ndaiga Sub-County, emphasized the need to elevate the health center to meet the growing population and ensure proper health service delivery.
A nurse at the facility, speaking on condition of anonymity, said supplied drugs are consumed within a week due to high patient numbers. Theodra Kajumba, Acting District Health Officer for Kagadi, called the situation worrying, citing inadequate staffing and drug supplies, and urged the government to upgrade the facility to Health Center III.
Accessing Ndaiga Sub-County remains a challenge, requiring travel by boat and poorly maintained hilly roads, further complicating healthcare delivery.
