Bats have invaded Mukabara Health Centre III in Kiziranfumbi Sub County, Hoima district causing anxiety among health workers in the area.
Although the bats have colonised all the health center departments, the outpatient and maternity wards are the worst affected.
A stench from the mammals’ waste could felt in the wards on Friday, when a URN reporter visited the area. There are black marks on the health center’s white ceiling as a result of the bats.
However, none of the bats was seen or heard on Friday afternoon. Florence Biryomuriiwe, an enrolled midwife told URN that the bats were sleeping inside the ceiling and would be up in the night.
Biryomuriiwe said the mammals make noise as they fly all over the place at night. She says because of the bats’ waste, cleaning is difficult as the place gets dirty every night.
//Cue in: "Smell is too much.......
Cue out: ...almost two weeks."//
Hellen Atukwasibwe, a pregnant mother seeking antenatal care, says she had problems when she spent a night at the Maternity Ward attending to her sister in labour three months ago. Atukwasibwe says the noise from bats almost chased them out of the ward.
She says her only prayer is that her delivery time comes during day to avoid a similar nightmare.
Christopher Rugadya, the in charge of the health center, while appearing before the Kiziranfumbi sub county public dialogue on education and health last week said the problem is beyond the health center management now.
Ruagadya says efforts to remove the bats have proved failed and that a report has been made to the district health office.
Fredrick Byenume, the Hoima district health inspector, says he is aware of the problem but declined to comment further.
On top of the inconveniences, health officials say bats can be a health hazard. Dr Robert Mugabe, the Buliisa district Health officer, says bats can cause plague and allergy to people.
Mugabe adds that a bat bite can cause rabies, a disease commonly associated with dog bites.
