The Ministry of Health has disputed claims that there is inadequate facilities in the neonatal section at Kawempe referral to the extent that space for new born babies is improvised with others accommodated in chairs.
This is in response to a picture that has been making rounds on social media platforms showing new born babies in a conjested area with some laid in chairs.
The picture was purportedly taken at Kawempe refferal Hospital.
In a statement released by the minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Acieng, the pictures circulating on social media do not depict the actual situation in Kawempe Hospital.
She however admitted that Kawempe Hospital experiences high patient numbers, and delivers 80 – 100 babies everyday, 2500 babies every month, translating to 30,000 babies every year.
The minister attributed high numbers of patients to increased numbers of referrals from health facilities around Kampala.
Contrary to what is the picture, the minister said babies at the facility are in a temperature-controlled environment, and infection prevention measures are adhered to to ensure safety of babies’ lives.
The minister further said that government is aware of the challenges at Kawempe Hospital, and the ministry of Health has provided some solutions to the high patient numbers including expansion of space in the neonatal special care unit at Kawempe National Referral Hospital.