The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Dr Diana Atwine, has attributed the inefficiencies at Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital to parliament which he accuses of denying the facility the necessary funds, thereby hindering its ability to effectively manage its day-to-day activities.
Dr. Atwine was responding to a concern from Mawogola county MP, Hon. Gorreth Namugga, over absence of delivery beds at Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, which puts lives of expectant mothers who seek services from the facility at risk.
While appearing before a parliamentary committee last month, the hospital administrators revealed that Entebbe Hospital operates without a single delivery bed and the staffs use surgical recovery beds as an improvision to deliver an average of 20 children every day. The standard minimum number of beds in a Referral Hospital is four (4). MPs were overwhelmed by this revelation and this prompted Hon Gorreth Namugga to write to Dr Diana Atwine, requesting for standard specifications of a delivery bed so that she can procure at least one bed for the facility.
In response, Dr. Atwine confirmed the absence of delivery beds at Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital but also referred to “Bigger problems” of Entebbe Hospital including; low staffing levels, shortage of essential medical supplies, inability to hire adequate professional health workers, and inability to meet daily operational costs including utilities and office supplies.
In the letter, Dr. Atwine noted that ever since Entebbe Hospital was upgraded to the status of a Regional Referral six years ago, the hospital continues to receive a budget allocation of a General Hospital, leading to the current problems the facility is experiencing. She also faults parliament for ignoring consistent efforts by the Ministry of Health to have the hospital’s budget enhanced.
“Despite our repeated pleas to parliament in subsequent financial years since the hospital was upgraded, all our budget proposals have been presented at the level of a regional referral. Unfortunately, these have not been fully catered for, and the approval has consistently been made for a general hospital budget” Dr Atwine’s letter reads in part.
Due to the financial constraints currently faced by Entebbe Hospital, Dr Atwine notes that the staffing level of the hospital has been limited at only 15.5 percent of the required staff for a regional referral hospital, leading to a significant understaffing and an inability to recruit the necessary number of healthcare professionals.
For instance; Dr Atwine says allocation of medicines for Entebbe Hospital from the National Medical Stores (NMS) is based on the budget for a General Hospital, resulting into shortage of medicines and medical supplies necessary for the larger patient load and more complex cases handled by a Regional Referral Hospital.
On development budget which is allocated for maintenance, replacement, and upgrading of infrastructure and equipment for the hospital, Dr Atwine says the current funding level is insufficient for the facility, affecting the administrators to maintain and upgrade the facilities and equipment adequately.
In her letter, Dr. Atwine states that the problem of no delivery beds at Entebbe Hospital will soon be solved following the signing of a contract on the 30th May 2024, to supply five new delivery beds.
“Despite these challenges, the hospital continues to provide exceptional care to a large number of patients, serving at a level of a Regional Referral Hospital. Your voice and advocacy that can significantly contribute to addressing these budgetary constraints and improving healthcare delivery in our region” Dr Diana Atwine appealed.
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