Lira City, Uganda: Women suffering from complex reproductive health conditions in Northern Uganda are set to benefit from improved treatment services following the commissioning of a new Gynaecology and Fistula Ward at Lira Regional Referral Hospital this weekend.
The facility will be officially commissioned by Jane Ruth Aceng, Uganda’s Minister of Health, during a ceremony scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Freedom Square, located behind the Female Medicine block at the hospital.
According to a notice issued by Acting Hospital Director Dr Andrew Odur, the commissioning marks a major expansion of specialized healthcare services at the regional referral facility, which serves millions of people across the Lango sub-region and neighboring districts.
Speaking ahead of the commissioning, Dr Odur described the new ward as a significant milestone in strengthening healthcare services for women in Northern Uganda. “This facility is not just a new building; it is a turning point for women’s health in our region,” Dr Odur said.
“For years, many women suffering from complex gynaecological conditions and fistula have had to travel long distances to seek specialized treatment. This ward brings that care closer to them.”
He added that the unit will provide specialized surgical services, post-operative recovery spaces, and counselling support for patients undergoing treatment. “Our goal is to ensure that women receive dignified and comprehensive care from diagnosis through treatment and recovery,” Dr Odur said.
Addressing the Burden of Obstetric Fistula
Health experts say the new ward will play a crucial role in managing Obstetric Fistula, a serious childbirth injury that continues to affect thousands of women across sub-Saharan Africa.
According to medical professionals, obstetric fistula often occurs after prolonged obstructed labour without timely medical intervention, leaving women with chronic incontinence and severe social stigma.
Dr James Okello, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, said the dedicated ward will significantly improve treatment outcomes. “Fistula is not only a medical condition; it is also a social tragedy,” Dr Okello said.
“Many women suffering from it withdraw from their communities because of shame and isolation. Having a specialized ward means we can treat them faster and help restore their dignity.”
He added that the new facility will also strengthen training opportunities for medical staff and improve the hospital’s ability to handle complex gynaecological surgeries.
Local leaders have welcomed the new ward, describing it as a timely intervention for women who previously had to travel long distances for specialized treatment.
Geoffrey Eling Owera, Vice Chairperson of Kwania District and Leader of Government Business in the district, said the facility will reduce both the financial and emotional burden faced by families seeking treatment elsewhere.
“This ward will save many families from the financial and emotional strain of seeking treatment far away,” Owera said. “It also means that women who were silently suffering now have hope for recovery.”
Community representatives also believe the facility will encourage more women to seek skilled medical care during childbirth. “Many complications happen because mothers deliver without adequate medical support,” said Sam Omara Omego, a resident of Market Street in Apac Municipality.
“This new ward sends a strong message that maternal health matters,” he added.
For many patients, it offers the chance to rebuild their lives after years of suffering and social isolation. “When a fistula patient is successfully treated, you see hope return to her life,” one midwife at the hospital said.
The new facility will integrate surgical treatment, counseling, rehabilitation services and community outreach programs aimed at preventing fistula through improved maternal health awareness.
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