Nebbi Leaders Seek Regional Referral Status For District Hospital

NEBBI, UGANDA: Nebbi district leaders have tasked the government to elevate the district Hospital to a regional referral facility for it to provide holistic healthcare to the citizens in the region.

According to the leaders, the hospital is overwhelmed by the increasing population, which comes from as far as DR Congo and neighbouring districts yet it cannot offer specialised treatment.

Speaking to MPs on the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) who were touring the facility on Wednesday, Mr Emmanuel Urombi, the district chairperson, said the hospital offers few services because it has few specialists.

“We feel it is the right time for the government to pay special attention to elevating Nebbi to a referral hospital if the facility is to provide holistic, quality and equitable health services that meet the needs of the community,” he said.

The hospital serves Zombo, Pakwach, Madi Okollo, and neighbouring DR Congo. Madi-Okollo, Pakwach and Zombo only have health centres and private hospitals like St Luke Nyapea, making the districts mainly dependent on Nebbi Hospital.

The hospital was opened in May 1973 and served a catchment population of 36,637 by then, but it now serves more than 450,000 people.

The hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr Jackline Akello, said many services cannot be accessed because of lack of specialists.

She said once a patient fails to get services such as specialised surgeries, they refer them to either Arua, Mulago or Gulu hospitals, which demoralises patients because of the far distance and poverty.

“If we could have more services here, it will cut cost for transport, accommodation and feeding for patients who are referred far away,” Dr Akello said.

The district Woman MP, Ms Agnes Acibu, said the growing population has caused congestion at the hospital.

“We need to constantly lobby government to consider the demand by the leaders to elevate the hospital if lives of our people are to be saved,’’ she said.

The chairperson of PAC, Mr Asuman Basalirwa, lauded the district leaders for exhibiting teamwork, being organised, and transparent.

“This gives them a good base to advocate for a referral hospital, which will reduce pressure of other referral hospitals such as Arua that is already overwhelmed,” Mr Basalirwa said.