Patients at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital and Itojo General Hospital in Ntungamo District are paying for diagnostic services at private health facilities after X-ray machines at both government hospitals broke down, disrupting access to essential care.
The equipment failures were uncovered during surprise inspections by Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi over the weekend.
During an unannounced visit to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital on Saturday night, Baryomunsi found that the hospital’s X-ray machine had been out of service for several months. Patients requiring X-ray examinations are now referred to the nearby private Rugarama Hospital, where they pay about Shs20,000 per scan.
The minister also found that one of the hospital’s oxygen plants had been non-functional for months, affecting the delivery of critical care. He directed Ministry of Health officials to urgently repair both the X-ray machine and the oxygen plant.
Baryomunsi said the hospital also faces ageing infrastructure and limited space. However, he commended the hospital management, noting that the facility was clean, staff were on duty and patients appeared satisfied with the care they were receiving despite the challenges.
On Sunday, the minister carried out another impromptu inspection at Itojo General Hospital, where he found similar problems. The hospital’s X-ray machine is out of service, and the facility does not have a CT scanner.
Dr. Kenneth Ayebazibwe, the hospital’s medical officer, said the X-ray machine, installed in the 1960s, has been non-functional for more than a decade. Patients needing X-ray services are referred to private clinics in Ntungamo Town, where they pay about Shs20,000, while those requiring CT scans must travel to Mbarara City and pay about Shs250,000.
Ayebazibwe appealed to the government to replace the ageing X-ray machine, install a CT scanner and establish an oxygen plant at the hospital, which treats more than 600 patients each month.
Patients said the equipment failures have added financial and physical burdens to families already struggling to afford healthcare.
Joventa Tumushabe, who was caring for her husband at Itojo Hospital, said patients are forced to travel several kilometres to Ntungamo Town for X-ray services, with many unable to afford the Shs20,000 fee charged by private facilities.
Another patient, Gordon Akandwanaho, said he was instructed to obtain an X-ray in Ntungamo Town before undergoing surgery because the hospital’s machine was not working.
“I had to walk to town despite being in severe pain,” he said, adding that many patients are also referred to Mbarara City for costly CT scans.
He appealed to the government to repair the hospital’s X-ray machine and install a CT scanner to reduce delays in treatment.
Responding to the concerns, Baryomunsi acknowledged the urgent need to restore diagnostic services at Itojo Hospital. He said he would prepare a report outlining the hospital’s priority needs, including repairing the X-ray machine and establishing an oxygen plant and CT scan services, for consideration by the government.
Despite the equipment shortages, the minister praised the hospital staff for maintaining quality healthcare services and commended their dedication and professionalism.
