Oyam leaders push for upgrade of Dicunyi HCIII as new ambulance boosts services

6 May 2026, 9:41 pm

By Winnie Auma

Leaders in Oyam District have renewed calls for the government to upgrade Dicunyi Health Centre III to Health Centre IV status, citing growing demand for improved health services in Oyam South Constituency.

The LC5 Chairperson of Oyam District, Benson Walter Dilla, made the appeal on Tuesday during the handover of a new ambulance at Kamdini Health Centre III. The ambulance is expected to serve communities across Oyam South.

Dilla noted that government policy provides for at least one Health Centre IV per constituency, but Oyam South remains without one. He revealed that the district council had previously resolved to request the upgrade of Dicunyi Health Centre III, but the proposal has yet to be implemented.

He now wants the area Member of Parliament-elect, Patrick Ogwang Obura, to prioritize lobbying for the elevation of the facility to better serve the population.

Dilla also raised concern over the limited emergency response capacity in the area, warning that a single ambulance is insufficient for the large and densely populated constituency.

Dr. Thomas Malinga, the Oyam District Health Officer emphasized the need for collective responsibility in improving healthcare, noting that the government allocates only about 15 percent of the national budget to the health sector.

He said the new ambulance will help reduce delays in referring patients and improve access to emergency care.

The Resident District Commissioner for Oyam, Sgt. Shilako James commended the MP-elect for supporting health services even before officially taking office.

He urged health authorities to ensure proper maintenance of the ambulance and warned against its misuse, stressing that it must strictly serve patients.

Meanwhile, MP-elect Patrick Ogwang Obura pledged to deliver an additional ambulance in the future, which will be stationed at Loro Town Council to serve surrounding areas including Aber and Loro Sub-county.

He also called on leaders in Oyam District to put aside political differences and focus on service delivery, emphasizing that the election period is over and development should now take center stage.

The LC3 Chairperson of Kamdini Town Council, Sam Paul Ogwang Alunyo, welcomed the development, describing the ambulance as the first of its kind in Oyam South. He appealed to district authorities to allocate sufficient funds for its maintenance and fuel to ensure sustained service delivery.