Up to 57 out of 64 islands in Kalangala have no health centres, according to a study conducted in the district.
The residents have expressed worry over the worsening state of health services in the district. They are demanding for their own special hospital in the islands to address the lack of health services in the area.
Mariam Namatovu, the Kalangala district Senior Nursing officer, says their study findings on the state of health services in Kalangala show that of the affected area are Nkose Island, Nkese Island, Kivunza, Kyagalanyi, and Luwungu landing site. Namatovu notes that apart from Bugala, the main island which has five health centres including Kalangala Health Centre IV, the remaining 57 islands are grappling with lack of health centres.
Namatovu explains that the lack of health centers on these hard to reach islands means dozens of people especially expectant mothers could be dying because they have proper and timely medical attention.
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Health officials in the district say with lack of funds, they cannot conduct outreach programmes in these islands. As a result residents from this area are demanding for a special hospital at one of the hard to reach islands to address the problem.
Lillian Musasizi, a mother of four from Kibannga has told URN that they want government to construct a big hospital at Nkese Island because they feel neglected. Musasizi says they don’t have health programmes like antenatal and immunisation services in their areas.
Musasizi claims that three of her four children aged between 4 and 12 years have never been immunized because of lack of health workers.
Godfrey Lugoloobi, another resident of Kalangala says due to lack of health centres and workers on their island, they are now depending on traditional birth attendants.
Lugoloobi is also wants Government to construct a special hospital at one of the neglected islands because they also deserve medical services since they pay taxes.
Willy Lugoloobi, the Kalangala district Chairperson, says they to approve funds to allow health workers conduct out-reach programmes to those affected islands. He however supports the demands by residents for a special hospital.
Lugoloobi says they have one medical worker in the entire district identified as Dr. Hillary Bitakalamire, who is poorly-facilitated to reach out to all the hard to reach islands.
This week, Wanainchi, a community based organization in Kalangala, launched a campaign to create awareness and call on government to address the health service problems in the district so as to stop maternal deaths.
According to the 2002 population census, there were 34,766 people in the district, but this figure increased to 50,000 people by 2011. The annual population growth rate of the district is estimated at 3.0%.
