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Arwotcek community receives upgraded health centre III in Amolatar district
24 May 2024, 6:00 pm
By Desire Ocen and Sarah Ejang
Dr. Jimmy Odongo asserts that the delay in the hand over that was supposed to be last November was because the sluice sink (a place where babies are bathed immediately after being born) was not complete .
Resident district commissioner Amolatar, Rwotlonyo on May 23 handed over a finished construction of a Maternity unit at Arwotcek health centre III to the community.
While officiating over the hand over, Francis Okello Odoki gave an ultimatum of less than six months to the contractor to finish up the remaining works.
He warned that failure for the contractor to fill up the small gaps they are remaining with; the district will not clear up their balance of Thirty four million shillings (UGX 34,000,000).
He also cautioned some bad minded community members who are sending witchcraft at the facility to stop for they risk being arrested.
The district health officer (DHO), Jimmy Odongo said that the facility serves the two sub counties of Abeja and Arwotcek emphasising there was need to hand over the facility to help the high population in need.
Dr. Jimmy Odongo asserts that the delay in the hand over that was supposed to be last November was because the sluice sink (a place where babies are bathed immediately after being born) was not complete.
“The contractor was supposed to receive the sluice sink from Dubai but it took some time to be fixed contributing to the delay,’’ Odongo added.
Meanwhile Vice chairperson Amolatar district local government Sam Peter Onyang said that due to public demand they could not wait long to hand over the unit to the community urging the contractor to fix the loop holes.
On his part, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Amolatar Samuel Paul Mpiimpa, commended the work done saying in the next financial year the district will recruit health workers that will be of help to all health centres upgraded from two to three in order to provide good service to its people.
Mr. Mpiima added that the new unit has also received equipment like microscope, Fridge, weighing scale beds among others that will simplify the work of health workers.
The Kyoga North Member of Parliament Hon James Olobo Dubai who also attended the handover since the facility falls in his area of jurisdiction welcomed the handover. However, there was a rumor circulating that he had bribed community members not to accept the facility.
The Local council III chairperson Arwotcek Tom Ogwal, requested the district authorities to install a solar system at the facility to save lives that could be lost as a result of power fluctuation that is very rampant in the district.
Ogwal also thanked the RDC for giving to the community the unit that they have been yawning for, for a long time.
Jolly Akullu one of the expectant mothers at the facility said that she was overjoyed by the upgrade of the centre because it will help many expectant mothers.
Teddy Paskweli Onome said she expecting and glad that she will give birth from the new maternity ward.
The health centre that was awarded to CAT civil and water works company limited by Ministry of Health cost Uganda shilling 617,424,255. It was awarded on 16/10/2022 and was to be handed over on 31st.June.2023.
The construction plan was to construct a maternity ward, 4 stance pit latrine, waste pit, outpatient department renovation and landscaping.