PM Nabanja Blames Poor Service Delivery on Opposition Leaders.

By Abraham Lincolns.

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has decried the heartbreaking condition of Mukono General Hospital and blamed the opposition leadership for causing the deplorable situation.

Women are reportedly giving birth on the floor and patients are sleeping outside due to extreme overcrowding at Mukono General Hospital. Nabanja made an impromptu visit on  Mukono general hospital Thursday following  reports submitted to President Museveni, by a Galaxy TV journalist David Mwesigwa who informed him about the deteriorating conditions at the facility.

However, Nabbanja confirmed first hand information when she found the facility overwhelmed beyond its capacity, with patients packed into narrow wards, some lying on verandas or under trees.

Among them was Idah Nantale, a new mother recovering from surgery who had spent four nights sleeping outdoors citing that she had no any other alternative because there was no space due to congestion.

“Its now four days since I had my surgery and given the congestion, we had no choice except finding free space outside as I finish my medication” Nantale told reporters.

When Nabanja entered the maternity ward, a number of mothers recounted traumatic experiences of delivering on the floor due to a lack of beds. Others reported being charged unofficial fees for nursery services when their newborns developed complications. During  her tour around the facility , the Prime Minister confirmed the gravity of the challenges at the facility.

“What I’ve seen here is heartbreaking,” said Nabbanja. “This hospital is operating at the level of a Health Centre III, yet it’s expected to serve the population of an entire district. That is unacceptable”  Nabbanja said pledging urgent intervention, including increased funding, deployment of additional medical personnel and immediate infrastructure upgrades to relieve congestion.

She also called for accountability and closer oversight by the Ministry of Health and local government officials. However, Nabbanja shifted the blame for poor service delivery in some areas to voters who vote for opposition leaders in parliament who can’t express people’s demands in the cabinet.

“The government is willing to work and empower communities with better education, healthcare and infrastructure but this cannot be achieved when sending opposition leaders who can’t come to my office or even present your concerns in cabinet” Nabanja asserted arguing voters to consider NRM candidates for social economic development.

The Prime Minister proceeded to Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital, where she inspected oxygen systems and other critical infrastructure. Unlike Mukono, conditions at Kayunga were found to be significantly better, with improved facilities and better patient management.

Nabbanja emphasized that no Ugandan should be forced to give birth on the floor or sleep outside a hospital due to lack of space, promising that such conditions will not be tolerated moving forward. She directed the Ministry of Health to immediately avail tents to cater for the congested facilities as a temporary measure to enable the government to find resources to erect permanent structures.