By Ismail Bategeka
www.mknewslink.com
In Mukono—
Mukono District Health Officer Dr Steven Mulindwa has appealed to the government to expand the maternity ward at Mukono General Hospital, citing overcrowding, inadequate staffing and shortages of essential medicines that are affecting healthcare delivery.
Mulindwa said the hospital receives an increasing number of expectant mothers from Mukono and neighbouring districts, including Kayunga, Wakiso and Buikwe, putting pressure on the available maternity facilities and health workers.
He said the growing demand for maternity services requires urgent government intervention to enable the hospital to accommodate more patients and improve the quality of care provided to mothers and newborns.
“The number of expectant mothers seeking delivery services continues to grow, yet the available maternity facilities are under pressure,” Mulindwa said.
He called for the expansion of the maternity ward and recruitment of additional health workers to address the increasing workload and improve service delivery.
The district health officer also raised concerns about staffing gaps, noting that some health workers travel long distances to reach the hospital, a situation he said affects the delivery of services.
He said the hospital was also experiencing shortages of essential medicines, forcing some patients to buy prescribed drugs from private pharmacies.
The shortages, he added, increase the financial burden on patients who seek treatment at a public health facility expecting to access essential medicines.
Mulindwa made the remarks during a monitoring visit by Mukono District leaders to assess the hospital’s performance and identify challenges affecting service delivery on Monday morning.
The visit was led by Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Steven Muhumuza and District Chairperson Francis Lukooya Mukoome, alongside other district leaders and hospital administrators.
Muhumuza said regular monitoring of public health facilities was necessary to identify service delivery gaps and help authorities determine areas requiring urgent intervention.
He said the visits also provide an opportunity for district leaders to engage health workers and hospital managers on challenges affecting the delivery of government services.
Muhumuza urged medical personnel to observe professional ethics, remain committed to their duties and treat patients with respect.
He said health workers have a responsibility to ensure that patients receive appropriate care, regardless of their social or economic background.
“Health workers must remain professional, committed and respectful when handling patients,” Muhumuza said.
District Chairperson Francis Lukooya Mukoome pledged continued cooperation between the district leadership and the health department to address challenges affecting the hospital.
Lukooya said the district would continue engaging relevant authorities on the need to improve healthcare infrastructure, staffing and the availability of essential medicines.
He also called for discipline, teamwork and professionalism among medical personnel, warning that unethical conduct could undermine public confidence in government health facilities.
“Medical personnel must uphold discipline, work as a team and maintain professionalism in the execution of their duties,” Lukooya said.
He cautioned health workers against practices that could damage their professional reputations and discourage patients from seeking services at public health facilities.
Lukooya urged the hospital staff to prioritise patient welfare and maintain high standards of care as the district works with relevant authorities to improve service delivery.
The monitoring visit identified the expansion of the maternity ward, recruitment of additional health workers and improved supplies of essential medicines as key priorities requiring attention from the relevant government authorities.
