Minister Kasaija commissions multi-billion Nyamarunda Health Center III

14 August 2024, 10:22 am

By Kato Joseph

Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija has commissioned the Nyamarunda Health Center III valued at over 1.9 billion Uganda Shillings, in Nyamarunda town council, Kibaale district.

The event was attended by Woman MP Noeline Kisembo Basemera, District Chairperson Godfrey Muhonge Kasanga, RDC Godwin Angalia Kasigwa, CAO John Katotoroma, among others.

Godfrey Obukulem, the project manager, says the project works was undertaken by Trandit Contractors encompassing a general maternity ward, outpatient department, three twin staff houses, four-stance drainage VIP latrines, a placenta pit and a medical waste pit.

Obukulem says government, through the Ministry of Health, received the funds used on the project from Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer Programme (UGIFT), with 5% of the money retained, payable after a six-months defects liability period.

During the commissioning, Minister Kasaija who is also the Buyanja County MP, commended the leadership of Kibeedi Catholic Church for donating the land where the facility has been constructed.

He has implored the health workers to execute their duties diligently and to educate the community on how to live health lives through embracing good nutrition, accommodation, among others.

James Asiimwe, the acting District Health Officer for Kibaale, revealed that although the facility new, it has already offered services to at least 6,477 patients and 15 babies delivered in the last financial year. However, he expressed concern that 42% of the recorded diseases at the facility are malaria cases and highlighted the lack of backup power.

In their remarks, MP Basemera, LCV Muhonge and RDC Angalia asked the medics at the facility and the Health Management Committee to ensure proper maintenance of the facility appealing to the contractor to rectify the few remaining defects.

Some of the patients who witnessed the commissioning expressed their satisfaction with the new health facility. However, they called on the leaders to lobby the National Medical Stores to address the prevailing inadequate drugs stock at the facility.