Anaka General Hospital in Nwoya District is facing a critical challenge with intermittent power supply, severely impacting its neonatal unit.
Isaac Okello Wonyima, the Assistant Health Officer in charge of Maternal and Newborn Health, revealed that each time power goes out, the hospital loses an average of two newborns due to cold exposure and insufficient oxygen supply, which renders life-saving machines non-functional.
The hospital experiences power outages three to four times each week, compounding the already strained resources. Anaka General Hospital caters to 250–300 mothers seeking delivery services monthly. However, many arrive late after initially consulting traditional birth attendants.
“These delays often result in complications requiring intensive care. Unfortunately, children referred to the ICU frequently succumb due to failed oxygen supply during outages,” Okello explained.
Okello also highlighted the broader issue of inadequate access to healthcare facilities in rural areas. Most residents must travel 10 to 15 kilometers to reach the nearest health facility, far exceeding the Ministry of Health’s recommended maximum distance of five kilometers.
To address these challenges, the hospital is seeking 70 million shillings to renovate its neonatal department and install an automatic generator.
“The renovation will ensure consistent power supply and improve care for newborns,” Okello emphasized.
Denis Okema, Chairperson of Anaka Town Council, described the hospital’s current state as dire, particularly for the health of mothers and children.
Adding to the hospital’s woes, Tony Okello, Speaker of Nwoya District Local Government, disclosed that 700 million shillings allocated two years ago for a standby generator and fencing off the hospital has gone missing.
“The money vanished from the hospital’s account, and despite submitting details to the Chief Administrative Officer, no action has been taken,” Tony Okello said.
Peter Kaujju, Head of Communications at Umeme, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating that their team is investigating why the hospital cannot maintain stable power.
“We are mandated to provide power to the country, and if lives are being lost due to inadequate supply, it is regrettable. We will make every effort to resolve the issue,” Kaujju said.
The government’s Sustainable Development Plan III prioritizes safe, effective, and quality care for women and newborns. However, districts like Nwoya are yet to fully embrace these standards, leaving vulnerable populations at risk.
As the hospital grapples with power outages and resource constraints, the urgency for both immediate and long-term interventions cannot be overstated.