By Alexander Mackey Okori
KOTIDO: The residents and leaders of of Maaru Sub-county in Kotido district are demanding for the elevation of Nakwakwa health centre II to health centre III status to address health service delivery gaps.
According to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party manifesto on Infrastructure for 2016-2021, every sub-county is supposed to have at least health centre III.
However, Maaru sub-county among other sub-counties in Kotido district is still running a lower health facility which is unable to provide the required services to the locals.
Sarah Abura, a mother of three said that most people who are suffering are women, noting that Lokitelaebu health centre III and other health centre IIIs which offer advanced services are about 10 kilometers away from their area.
As a result, several women are delivering from homes and by the roadside after failing to make it to Lokitelaebu health centre III, according to Abura.
“Moving to these health centres is a very big challenge given the poor network. Since the population has over increased even the health centre should be elevated,” she appealed.
Robert Lokiru, a peace advocate said the only solution to the challenge of poor health service delivery in the area is to elevate facility to centre III, since elevation comes with additional funding.
He explained that the health workers at the facility are very committed and hard-working, adding that the challenge is on the requirements to use and the frequent drug stock outs.
Agnes Nakiru, a support staff at Nakwakwa health centre II said that the facility serves a population of over seven thousand people.
She revealed that on average, the facility receives about 500 in patients monthly and carries out more than 100 deliveries.
According to Nakiru, the drugs and other medical supplies National Medical Stores sends to the facility are exhausted within three days due to an overwhelming number of patients who turn up for treatment.
Paul Adia, the LCIII chairperson of Maaru Sub-County also called for upgrade of Nakwakwa health centre II to health centre III.
He is optimistic that this will enable patients to access health services easily compared to travelling to Lokitelaebu health centre III which is about 10 kilometers far.
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