By The Sesse Islands’ healthcare system continues to encounter major obstacles in providing the community with quality treatment, despite continuous efforts by the government to improve services.
More than 70,000 people live in the 84 islands that make up the Kalangala district, which was carved out of Masaka more than 30 years ago and now forms the Ssese county.
The inhabitants of the island have long struggled with several issues, such as challenging navigation and the terrible effects of the AIDS epidemic.
The alarming condition was brought to light by Dr. Hillary Bitakalamire, the district health officer of Kalangala. She stated that just nine out of the 64 inhabited islands have public health facilities, making access to healthcare in Kalangala a fantasy.
“ It requires a lot of resources in terms of fuel to reach other islands,” Dr. Bitakalamire said
The woman member of parliament for Kalangala district, Helen Nakimuli, expressed worry over the inadequate healthcare facilities and underlined the urgency of taking immediate action. She stated that it is past due for the area to be given its hospital to meet the urgent healthcare needs of the local population.
“ Many expecting mothers lose their lives as they’re being rushed to different hospitals,” Nakimuli revealed.
She also discusses the dangerous excursions patients undergo to receive treatment, pointing out that many patients risk their lives when traveling by boat between islands, which demands a substantial financial investment.
“ The government should consider giving Kalangala more marine ambulances,” Nakimuli said
The director of Kalangala Health Center IV, Dr. Mugisha Samuel, called attention to the alarming conditions that exist in the current healthcare facilities, pointing out that patients are seriously at risk of serious injury or death in overcrowded mixed-gender wards, as demonstrated by the alarming incidents that medical professionals from various facilities have reported.
“ Last year one of the male patients tried to rape a female patient at Kalangala health center IV as a result of mixing them,” Dr. Mugisha narrated
In response to the demand for better facilities, Kalangala Infrastructure Services (KIS) renovated a male ward for shs100 million, putting the comfort and safety of the patients first.
Healthcare in the Kalangala district will continue to be supported and promoted, according to Joseph Mulindwa of Kalangala Infrastructure Services (KIS).
“This is a way of giving back to the people of Kalangala where we operate from as Kalangala Infrastructure Services (KIS),” Mulindwa said.
In a gesture of solidarity and support, MP Helen Nakimuli donated essential medical equipment during an opening ceremony.
“Providing vital equipment is crucial for supporting our healthcare professionals, who are facing immense challenges, including the loss of colleagues,” Nakimuli said.
