The Health Ministry is mulling over the idea of downgrading Kamukira Health Center in Kabale Municipality from a Health Centre IV to a Health Centre III.
This potential step backward stems from the facility’s health workers failing to perform cesarean sections during childbirth. Found in Kirigime ward, Southern Division, Kamukira Health Centre IV stands as the second-largest government health facility in Kabale Municipality after Kabale Regional Referral Hospital.
Concerns arose during a recent meeting with the Ministry of Health and Kigezi Region health officials at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital.
Dr. Godfrey Bandoga, a gynecologist at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, highlighted that Kamukira HC IV leads Kabale district in referring expectant mothers in need of cesarean sections, despite having a fully-equipped functional theater and trained health workers to carry out the procedure.
From October 2022 to October 2023, the facility referred 57 mothers, surpassing Maziba Health Center IV with 41 mothers and Rubaya HCIV with 30.
Over the same period, 283 mothers in need of cesarean sections were sent to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital from lower health units in Kabale district. Deputy Mayor Kedress Mutabazi voiced frustration, pointing out that Kamukira HCIV lacks an ambulance, especially at night, resulting in the referral of mothers requiring cesarean sections to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital.
Transporting an anesthetic officer also poses challenges. Dr. Henry Mwebesa, Director of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, questioned why an ambulance isn’t handling cesarean sections and raised concerns about Kabale municipality authorities’ failure to convert a government-provided motor vehicle, meant for COVID-19 response, into an ambulance.
Mwebesa emphasized that due to Kamukira HCIV’s failure to perform cesarean sections despite having the necessary facilities, the Ministry of Health will convene to discuss demoting the facility to the level of a Health Centre III.
Dr. Diana Atwiine, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, expressed frustration with Kamukira Health Centre administration and Kabale municipality authorities.
She questioned the allocation of funds to a facility that consistently falls short in conducting cesarean sections, even with all the necessary resources available.
According to health ministry guidelines, Health Centre IVs should provide preventive, promotive, outpatient, curative, maternity, in-patient, laboratory, ultrasound, emergency, blood transfusion, and mortuary services.