KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Maj Gen Geoffrey Tumusiime Katsigazi on Tuesday, 25th July 2023 visited the Directorate of Health Services based at Nsambya Barracks in a familiarization tour with the directorate.
Mr Katsigazi was received by the Director of Medical Services, Assistant Inspector General of Police, (AIGP) Dr. Byaruhanga Moses together with his team.
The DIGP appreciated the commitment and services rendered by the medical personnel.
“Your intervention has sustained life in a very difficult situation, irrespective of all the necessary tools, but you are committed to working for this country. We appreciate it,” Kastigazi said.
He added that the force operates under a constrained budget which is temporally and promised that the hard times will be over as the economy improves. He also emphasized the need to establish and improve medical facilities in the force to serve Police officers and Ugandans who seek medical attention.
“The community has trust in hospitals that belong to forces and therefore the need to establish and equip them fully for better services to our communities. The most important thing is for management to prioritize, work with the available resources and passionately,” the DIGP stressed.
The director of Health Services AIGP Byaruhanga Moses opened up that, currently, the Police run 98 health centres at different levels including, 04 Health Centers III and 83 Health Centers II facilities, a number which increased by 22.4% from 76 Health Centers in the last 10 years in 67 districts across the country.
He however added that this number needs enough health workers and professional diversity to fill the existing gap.
“We are understaffed, especially the medical doctors to support the medico-legal services across the country. We only have 13 police surgeons at the regional level, representing 45% hence there is a need for more,” said Dr Byaruhanga.
On human resources, AIGP Byaruhanga said the institution is supporting Police health workers to pursue further studies to help close the gap.
He said, “Currently, 76 personnel are being supported for further studies at different levels, 27 for bachelor of whom 20 are for medicine and surgery, 43 for Diploma courses and 6 for Certificate courses.”
The Directorate of Police Health Services was established in 1963 with only a maternity ward at Nsambya Police Barracks.
In 1970, clinical services (Outpatient department) were opened up at Naguru Police Barracks and later extended to Nsambya in 1975.
Later, more health centres were opened up in different districts to offer general medical services.
Currently, the directorate is made up of four departments; Health Administration and Training, Clinical Services, Public Health Services and Medico-Legal Services.
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