KABALE MUSLIM DISTRICT COUNCIL BITTER OVER GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUED DEAF EAR TO INCLUDE KIRIGIME HEALTH CENTER III ON PHC

By Byamukama Libino.

In Kabale

The Kabale district Muslim council have raised their bitterness over the government negligence of kirigime Health center III on the PHC (Public Health Care fund) yet the facility has been embracing all government programs.

This was raised yesterday by the district Kadhi Sheikh Kaabu Luule during the induction ceremony of Kabale district Muslim council leaders which was held at Ndorwa Primary school in kirigime ward southern division Kabale municipality.

Addressing the leaders before the chief guest who was the Kabale district RDC Mr Nyakahuma Godfrey, the district Kadhi showed concern on how other hospitals ( Rugarama and Rushoroza Hospitals) which are Protestant and Catholic founded receive PHC (Public Health Care fund) unlike kirigime health center III was established before them.
He added that the facility has free government programs like circumcision and has been participating in other outreaches like immunization campaigns and that being the only mosque, it serves a large number of Muslims around and in Kigezi plus the neighboring community.

Kaabu Luule showed the need of the government paid midwife at facility saying that the facility has faced a challenge of paying midwives despite being a P.P.F (private for not profit facility)

“Which crime did we make for our hospital not be included on the beneficiaries of Public Health Care fund”! Kaabu Luule lamented

He further requested for construction of administration Blocks and other classrooms at Ndorwa Primary school saying that the few they have also needs renovation.

The Kabale district Resident District Commissioner Mr. Godfrey Nyakahuma pledged to sit with the Kabale district Health officer, and the Municipal health officer to have a government paid midwife deployed at kirigime health center III.
He further promised to engage the authorities to have their request on renovation of school structures and construction of administration Blocks and classes pardoned.

On 5th September 2022, the Kirigime Health centre III in charge Dr Semakula Hussein showed concern on the challenges faced by the facility such as shortage of staff and that few available not on government payrolls.

He added that they are only surviving on the little salary they get from Kabale District Muslim council adding that the situation becomes worse when the little payment they get from Kabale Muslim Council delays.

Semakula said that the health centre has no Public Health Care fund to buy medicine and some medical equipment thus asking the government to recruit the facility on the Public Health Care Fund.

“We have equipment but we don’t have enough manpower and most of the services which could have brought in money are offered at a free cost” Semakula added

Kirigime health center III is a is a P.P.F (private for not profit facility) registered under Uganda Muslim Medical Bureau (UMMB) and the only Uganda Muslim supreme council Health Facility under Kabale Muslim council in kigezi sub region

The facility was licensed in 1986 and it pays a license of Ugx 250,000 annually.