Authorities in Mbarara regional referral hospital have failed to operationalize the newly built hospital wing worth US $ 27 million because of lack of sufficient electricity. The two storied building was completed early this year by Excel Construction and handed over to Mbarara Regional Hospital.
Dr. George Upenytho, the Executive Director Mbarara Regional Referral hospital says that the new wing will house various units for emergencies and non communicable diseases which are rampant in the region. He however, explains that they cannot open the wing until a new transformer is installed to provide enough power to operate the heavy machines in the wing.
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He lists some of the that he says require a lot of electricity such as CT scan, MRI and Ex-ray machines. Dr. George added that once the new wing is fully utilized, authorities at the hospital will have the existing old facilities turned into income generating venture.
The commissioner for health Dr. Lukwago Asuman admits the delays which he attributed to logistical challenges.
Dr. Lukwago says the ministry has secured some transformers which will be connected to the new wing such that it can be to its use.
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Miriam Atugonza , a patient from Ibanda district who has slept on the floor various times wants government to hasten the opening of the new wing to end the problem of congestion. Information available at the hospital indicates that between 90 -100 referrals are registered on a daily basis.
Some of the referrals are from as far as major referral Hospitals like Fort-portal, Kabale and Masaka.
