By Vicent Emong
KUMI — Kumi District has intensified efforts to improve healthcare services through the renovation and expansion of several Health Centre IIs as leaders push for their elevation to Health Centre III status in response to the growing number of patients seeking medical care.
District health officials recently conducted inspection visits and site meetings at ongoing construction projects in Kakures, Ogooma, and Oseera health facilities. The projects are collectively valued at approximately UGX 718 million.
Speaking during the inspection, Kumi District Health Officer Dr. Emmanuel Ongala expressed satisfaction with the progress registered at most of the construction sites.
“We held site meetings at three different Health Centre IIs in Kakures where we are renovating the OPD and constructing a staff pit latrine. We found that work is progressing very well. The contractors are on site, and the projects are about 80 percent complete, which is commendable,” Dr. Ongala said.
He explained that at Ogooma Health Centre II, construction of a maternity block had reached nearly 69 percent completion.
“At Ogooma, work is also progressing well. However, at Oseera Health Centre II, although a maternity block is under construction, the pace of work is still slow. The district engineer and technical team have already engaged the contractor and directed him to improve performance,” he noted.
According to Dr. Ongala, the contractor at Oseera has been given two weeks to show substantial progress in line with the contractual agreement.
He explained that the projects are part of preparations to upgrade the facilities from Health Centre II to Health Centre III status.
“Once the structures are completed, we hope the Ministry of Health will officially elevate them. This will attract more staff, increased funding, additional infrastructure, and improved health service delivery,” he added.
Dr. Ongala emphasized that the targeted health facilities serve densely populated communities that currently lack nearby access to adequate healthcare services.
“These sub-counties do not have alternative health facilities, yet they serve large populations. Our demographic data clearly shows that these interventions are necessary and timely,” he said.
Meanwhile, the In-Charge of Ogooma Health Centre II, Akiteng Beatrice, described the ongoing construction of a maternity ward as a major milestone in strengthening maternal and newborn healthcare services.
“The construction of this maternity ward is a breakthrough in improving safe deliveries and strengthening maternal and newborn healthcare,” she said.
Akiteng revealed that the health facility currently handles patients from both Kumi and neighboring Ngora District, which has placed pressure on the limited infrastructure available.
“One of our biggest challenges has been inadequate space. We do not have a postnatal or perinatal ward, and the available beds are insufficient. In many cases, mothers are discharged before completing the recommended 24 hours after delivery,” she explained.
She further disclosed that the facility receives between 190 and 200 antenatal care visits every month and conducts up to 32 deliveries monthly.
“At the OPD alone, we handle about 1,058 patients every quarter. This demonstrates the urgent need for upgrading the facility so that we can establish a laboratory, wards, and other essential services,” Akiteng stated.
District leaders said the upgrades are in line with government policy requiring every sub-county to have at least a Health Centre III.
Nelson Elungat Lakol, one of the district leaders overseeing the projects, said the selected facilities were prioritized because of the large populations they serve.
“The district team and stakeholders have been inspecting works at Health Centre IIs, including Kakures where the OPD renovation and construction of a two-stance pit latrine are underway. Ogooma is also receiving a large maternity ward because these facilities serve very large populations,” he said.
Resident District Commissioner Hamadwa Ismael Pinto applauded the quality of work being undertaken across the district and commended contractors for ensuring value for money.
“At Kakures Health Centre II, we inspected the construction of a two-stance pit latrine and the renovation of the maternity ward and OPD. As a team, we are satisfied with the quality of work being done,” Pinto remarked.
He added that despite not being an engineer, he was impressed by the standards observed at the project sites.
“There is clear evidence that the projects reflect value for money,” Pinto said.
District officials remain optimistic that once completed and upgraded, the facilities will significantly improve access to healthcare services, reduce pressure on existing health centres, and strengthen maternal and child healthcare in Kumi District.
