Stalled Pakwach Health Centre IV leaves mothers in peril

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The long-awaited construction of Pakwach Health Centre IV remains stalled, leaving expectant mothers to endure poor conditions in an old, condemned facility.

The new maternity ward at Kapita, near the district headquarters, was meant to alleviate the situation but remains non-functional due to a lack of delivery beds and other essential equipment.

The facility was expected to be operational by March last year, yet there is no sign of construction apart from the incomplete maternity ward.

Some of the mothers lay on the postnatal beds in one of the rooms in the maternity ward. (Photo by Edna Piyic)

Meanwhile, the existing health centre, located just 300 meters from the River Nile, continues to serve a population of 194,757, including communities from Nwoya, Buliisa, Madi Okollo, Nebbi, and even the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite being condemned by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

Vivian Mungungeyo, a mother who underwent a caesarean section at the facility, has suffered repeated infections due to its unsanitary conditions.

“This is the third time I’m returning to this facility because I got infected with sepsis due to the poor sanitary facilities,” she said.

Mungungeyo attributes the infections to extreme congestion, as many mothers are forced to share limited space.

“There is no space. We are congested in this health centre. Imagine a room meant for four to five mothers now accommodating seven to eight,” she said.

Construction delays and uncertainty

Pakwach Health Centre IV in-charge, John Bosco Oryema, said they were instructed to relocate from the old maternity ward in September 2023. However, the relocation was postponed, leaving the facility in limbo.

According to Pakwach chief administrative officer Moses Dalili, at least sh4 billion is needed to commence construction and integrate a mortuary into the facility. 

However, NEMA's directive against further development in the wetland has stalled any renovation plans, and authorities are now waiting for communication from the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), which was contracted to undertake the project.

Pakwach LC5 chairperson Robert Steen Omito confirmed that the Ministry of Health allocated sh514 million for the maternity ward’s construction, fully aware of NEMA’s directive. He called for urgent action from the UPDF, warning that the existing structures may soon be uninhabitable.

“The government must expedite construction. These buildings won’t last much longer,” he said.

Omito lamented UPDF’s slow pace in starting the health facility’s construction, which is crucial as Pakwach lacks a district hospital. Patients in critical condition are often referred to Angal Hospital in Nebbi or Lacor Hospital in Gulu, significantly impacting healthcare access.

Promises and uncertainty

Pakwach Woman MP Jane Avur Pacutho assured the public that efforts are underway to secure delivery beds and mattresses before relocating mothers to the new maternity ward in the next three weeks.

Two attendants sit at the veranda of the maternity ward at Pakwach Health Center IV. (Photo by Edna Piyic)

Regarding the stalled construction, she reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare.

Lt. Ivan Tumwesigye of the UPDF Civil Engineering Brigade, which is overseeing the maternity ward project, maintained that they are working within their timelines.

“We were given this contract on September 13, 2023, and we have ensured that the maternity is completed in due course,” he said.

However, he did not address concerns over delays in constructing the main hospital building, despite growing frustrations from local authorities, who argue that work should have commenced by now.