The Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, has pledged support for a special planning to tackle the geographical challenges faced by people seeking medical services from health facilities in Kigezi sub region.
Dr. Aceng said this while leading a team of officials from the Ministry of Health in a tour around Kigezi Sub-region to assess the performance of Health facilities as well as challenges faced and how best they can be tackled.
Accompanied by the State Minister of state for Finance and Economic Planning, David Bahati, Minister Aceng made check-ins in different Health centers of Kigezi subregion, giving recommendations and noting down the challenges faced.
While speaking to residents at Kitooma Health Centre II, the minister expressed deep concern for patient’s particularly expectant mothers who trek 4-5 kilometers to Rayakarimira Health Centre IV seeking medical services.
Kitooma Health centre II is the only Health facility serving people from 32 villages that make up Rubaya Sub County. Other patients cross Lake Bunyonyi by boat to seek improved medical services at Bwama Health Centre III located at Bwama Island.
Minister Aceng said for a long time, Hon. Bahati who is also the area Member of Parliament had implored her to come and witness the plight of women in Rubaya subcounty, but she had not taken it seriously until she witnessed it her self.
She pledged maximum support for improved health services in the area including lobbying for a boat ambulance to transport patients across Lake Bunyonyi.
Ms Aceng said their tour in Kigezi was intended to help them design an appropriate plan based on the needs and geographical location of the health facilities.
Minister Bahati said he will work hand in hand with Minister Aceng to ensure that there’s an improved budget allocation for health in Kigezi sub region. Bahati said other regions facing geographical challenges will also benefit from the special planning.
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