Diabetic patients in Rwenzori region are finding it difficult to access treatment. There is only one diabetic clinic at Fort Portal Referral hospital which serves more than 300 patients from Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Bundibugyo, Kasese, Kamwenge and Ntororko. This makes it difficult for patients from distant districts like Ntoroko and Bundibugyo to access treatment. The clinic is only operates on Tuesday each week and has one doctor.
Moses Irumba, a patient from Bundibugyo district says that he is forced to travel to Fort Portal because there are no drugs for diabetes at Bundibugyo main hospital. Irumba says that sometimes he delays on the road because of the on-going construction of the Fort Portal- Bundibugyo road, and finds the clinic congested and misses out on the treatment. He says that he has now resorted to spending highly on accommodation costs in Fort Portal town so that he is on time to be attended to at the clinic.
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John Baranga, the President of the Diabetes Association of Rwenzori region says that they have appealed to the district health departments in the region to set up the clinics at main hospitals and health centre IVs. He says that on Tuesday when the clinic operates about 100 patients are expected but only those from Fort Portal municipality turn up because it’s near the referral hospital.
He says that diabetic patients who have failed to access treatment in hospitals are now turning to traditional doctors, who promise to cure them.
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Richard Mugahe, Kabarole district health officer says that diabetic clinics will be established at Kibiito and Bukuku health centre IV. Mugahe says that it has taken long for the clinics to be set up, because of staffing problems.
Charles Olar, the Medical Superintendent Fort Portal Referral hospital says that beginning next year, the diabetic clinic will operate two times a week, because of the high number of patients who turn up for treatment.
Prof. Andrew Otim, the Chairman Uganda Diabetes Association wants Ministry of Health, to open diabetic clinics in all hospitals and health centre IVs and recruit more medical staff to help diabetic patients access treatment.
World Diabetes Day is held on November 14th each year. The day is aimed at increasing awareness of the effects of diabetes. It is hoped that the awareness will lead to more resources to fight the causes of the disease. According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that 3.2 million people die of diabetes around the world each year.
