Africa-Press – Uganda. More than 300,000 residents of Pallisa District are facing a growing health crisis as the district’s only major public hospital operates with broken diagnostic equipment and chronic underfunding.
Established in 1966 during President Milton Obote’s first term, Pallisa General Hospital has for decades served as the backbone of healthcare in the area.
Initially built for 100 patients, the facility now handles over 5,000 outpatient visits each month.
But essential services have stalled, and patients are increasingly referred elsewhere for even the most basic procedures.
The hospital has gone three years without a working X-ray machine and two years without functioning ultrasound equipment.
According to the hospital’s Medical Superintendent, Dr David Okoth, this has severely compromised the delivery of timely and effective care.
“Due to non-functioning machines, we are not able to provide services promptly,” Dr Okoth said.
“We have to send patients to private units for X-rays and ultrasounds before treatment, which causes delays.”
Although the hospital’s operational budget was recently raised from Shs70 million to Shs100 million per quarter, Dr Okoth says the actual needs approach Shs1 billion. As a result, even the most basic medical supplies are not guaranteed.
“This year, we have tried to cater to medical emergencies to avoid scenarios where essential medicines are unavailable,” he added.
“We have witnessed cases where accident victims come in and basic supplies like gloves are missing.”
The situation has drawn concern from local leaders. Former Pallisa Woman MP Mariam Amoit described the conditions as unacceptable and warned of rising mortality rates in the district.
“The situation in Pallisa is appalling. The government, through the Ministry of Health, must focus on research,” Amoit said.
“The death rate in Pallisa is alarming. Without government intervention, we’re headed for the worst, people will not be healthy.”
In response, Amoit has teamed up with the Care-Well Foundation, a non-profit organisation, to offer free medical outreach in partnership with UMC Victoria Hospital.
The outreach includes Hepatitis B testing, cervical cancer screening, eye care, and general health checkups—and has attracted hundreds of patients.
“We empower lives and restore hope. That’s what we’re doing—restoring hope and working to give people better health conditions and sustainable opportunities,” said Shilpa Mendonca, Executive Director of Care-Well Foundation.
Amid the difficulties, health workers say they remain committed to serving the public and believe improved support from the government could reverse the decline.
For now, the fate of thousands of residents hangs on the hope that help will arrive before lives are lost.
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