Health
Alupo lauds medical evangelism as 2nd eldest missionary hospital marks 100 years
Ngora: Vice President, Jessica Alupo has commended the management and staff of Ngora Freda Carr Hospital(NFCH) in Ngora district for their relentless effort to save people’s lives
She made the remarks on Sunday while officiating at the celebrations to mark 100 years of NFCH existence which took place at Kobuku village, Ngora district.
NFCH is the second eldest health care missionary hospital to ever have been built in Teso region in 1922, second to Mengo missionary hospital in Uganda.
Alupo said that she was grateful to the management especially Bishop of Kumi Diocese Rt. Rev Michael Okwii Esakhan, hospital staff and development partners of the Hospital for their medical evangelism extending God’s healing hand to the people.
“I want to thank you categorically for the pace and direction into which you are taking the Diocese, since you were consecrated as Bishop of Kumi Diocese,” the vice president said.
You have taken the direction of working together, promoting unity and encouraging dialogue among christians, Alupo said.
“I will support you and I ask all christians to support you in this pace and direction as you foster development in the Diocese,” she said.
Alupo emphasized that it was important for Christians to learn to work together adding that when people do so, they work better, faster in achieving social economic transform.
Alupo thanked Ernest Carr, who hatched the vision of constructing NFCH in memory and honour of his beloved daughter Freda Carr, who died of Malaria in Nairobi hospital Kenya after contracting Malaria in Ngora district.
In honour of Freda, the hospital unveiled a monument to mark a memory of health care ministry of “Glory, Gloom and Glow,”.
Alupo handed over shs20m to support the hospital in it’s development ventures.
Alupo used the same occasion to rally people to embrace government programmes like Parish Development Model, UPE, USE to ensure social-economic transformation of their communities but especially raise household incomes.
She assured residents that government will continue to ensure peace and security and urged them to do their activities without any fear.
“I encourage citrus fruit farmers to continue planting because government is going to expand the fruit factory in Soroti which will consume all the fruits,” she said.
Government has earmarked shs42b for expansion of the factory.
She reminded parents to take good care of their children as holidays are underway.
“Children are coming back from school. I encourage you to safeguard our children especially the girl child because they’re the future of tomorrow,” she noted
The Rt. Rev Esakhan, thanked the people who mooted the idea of marking 100years celebration of NFCH for the great service to the people.
He however, noted that when NFCH was blossoming, had a number of consultants, surgeons and interns and a thriving nursing and midwifery training school from which many people benefitted immensely.
He said today, the hospital is in dire need of atleast four consultants (surgeons), paediatricians (children diseases specialists), general surgeons, gynaecologist and a specialist in adult medicare(Physician).
The bishop explained that the availability of the said consultants would attract interns and increase their areas of health care service delivery and bring services closer to the people at affordable costs.
He appealed to the VP to kindly convey his message and appeal to the president and ministry of health for approval of the above stated and critically needed medical consultants and surgeons.
Bishop Esakhan launched a five year strategic development plan and gifted the hospital with a modern St. Luke’s Chapel, a modern neo-natal unit, and a monument in memory of Freda Carr.
He appealed for resources to rebuild, rebrand and revive NFCH for the people.
Representing the Archbishop of the Province of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Kazimba, the Bishop of Mbale Diocese Rt. Rev. John Wilson Nandaah congratulated NFCH for 100years of uninterrupted existing and health care service.
The bishop also used the celebrations to urge Ugandans live and walk in the kingdom of God because heaven begins on planet Earth.
Nandaah also encouraged youths to embrace government development program like the Parish Development Model by forming groups or Saccos to tap into the available financial resources.
The recent flag-off of 116 ambulance vehicles by the Ministry of Health signifies not just an augmentation of emergency medical resources but a remarkable shift in Uganda’s healthcare landscape. This initiative, led by Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary, highlights a concerted effort to transform the country’s emergency response system, evolving from basic transport vans to equipped, life-saving ambulances.
Dr. Atwine’s announcement regarding the transition is significant. By 2016, Uganda possessed 173 Type A Road Ambulance Vehicles, serving merely as patient transport vans with minimal emergency care capabilities. However, the country has now surged ahead, boasting 187 Type B Road Ambulance Vehicles equipped with Basic Life Support tools, 4 Type C Road Ambulance Vehicles with Advanced Life Support equipment, 11 Type B Boat Ambulances, and 3 Type C Boat Ambulances. This stark evolution underlines the government’s commitment to phasing out outdated ambulance models and replacing them with advanced, fully-equipped vehicles.
The shift is a testament to Uganda’s dedication to enhancing emergency medical services. The shift from basic vehicles without standard equipment to advanced ambulances equipped with life-saving tools signifies a conscious effort to prioritize the well-being of citizens during emergencies. It’s a leap from mere transportation to providing critical care on the move.
Dr. Atwine’s vision, aiming for a fully operational National Ambulance Service by FY 2025/26, reflects the government’s forward-looking approach. The significance of this milestone extends beyond the numbers; it represents a comprehensive strategy to address emergency medical needs, aligning with global standards of care and response.
The inclusion of boats as ambulance vehicles also underscores a holistic approach to addressing emergencies, particularly in regions accessible only by waterways. This diversification of resources demonstrates a nuanced understanding of Uganda’s geographic diversity and a commitment to ensuring emergency care reaches even the most remote areas.
As Uganda moves towards this new era in emergency medical services, the focus remains on efficient utilization and adherence to stringent guidelines for ambulance usage. Dr. Atwine’s emphasis on proper management and utilization, including trained personnel and approved protocols for ambulance dispatch, signifies a holistic approach to maximizing the impact of these life-saving resources.
The shift from basic transport to advanced care within the ambulance fleet is not just a numerical upgrade; it’s a paradigm shift towards ensuring that every Ugandan, regardless of location or circumstance, has access to critical and timely medical care during emergencies.
Uganda is making strides in the sector as it seeks to provide quality services to the citizenry. As part of efforts to achieve this, the government through the Ministry of Health has established three state-of-the-art Specialized Reference Laboratories under National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services (NHLDS).
They are; The Central Public Health Laboratories (CPHL), the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRL) and National Microbiology Reference Laboratory (NMRL), all of which are accredited to International Standards, meaning that their results are trusted anywhere in the world.
These reference Laboratories are supplemented by the Lab capacities in research institutes such as the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) Laboratory, Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) and universities (Makerere, Mbarara, Gulu, etc) whenever need arises.
Major Capacities in the Reference Laboratories
The major Capacities of the National Health Laboratory Services are as follows: –
✓ Capacity to test for COVID-19 in Butabika, and with mobile Laboratories currently placed in Tororo, Adjumani Hospital (for Elegu border crossing), Mutukula and Mubende Regional Referral Hospital. Additionally, all the Regional Referral Hospitals have been equipped with GeneXpert machines which the department activates any time additional testing capacity is needed. These Laboratory has been the cornerstone in the Ministry’s strong response in the prevention, management and control of the ongoing COVID-19 by providing quality and real-time results for decision-making.
✓ Capacity of National TB Reference Laboratory (NTRL) to consistently provide surveillance and early detection of Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and Extremely Resistant TB (XDR-TB) to help in early detection and isolation of cases to prevent spread and protect life.
✓ Capacity to provide testing for diagnosis of HIV and Hepatitis B including Viral Load for up to 2.5 million tests every year thereby providing access door to life saving ARVs and treatment monitoring for people living with HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B including babies and pregnant mothers.
✓ Capacity for sickle cell disease confirmation, Heme Path Cancer Diagnosis and other non-communicable and lifestyle disease diagnosis.
✓ Capacity for routine diagnostic check-ups for functions of the Kidney, Liver, Heart and other vital organs of the body.
✓ Established the genomic Laboratories at the Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) and National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRL) for routine surveillance of any genetic changes in disease–causing microorganisms that may result in being very dangerous (like resistance to treatments) or weaker and therefore milder.
✓ Capacity of the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory to carry out routine bacterial culture and sensitivity for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) surveillance.
✓ Developed laboratory information management systems which is used at the in the refence Laboratories (CPHL and NTRL) to track patients’ samples and relay results to the Doctors. For example, the TB Lab information system tracks patient samples and rely results to MDR treatment sites in the country, which has greatly improved turn round time for TB culture and drug susceptibility results.
✓ The External Quality Assessment (EQA) Laboratory. The reference Laboratories at NHLDS produce Proficiency testing panels that are accredited to ISO Standards which are used to expertly control the quality of Laboratory diagnosis across the national health laboratory network.
✓ Equipment Calibration Centre. The NHLDS has an internationally accredited equipment calibration Centre that supports calibration and standardization of equipment in the whole Laboratory sub-sector in the country to ensure they provide accurate results.
✓ The Laboratory Department (through NTRL and CPHL) Supports 26 countries in Africa as part of the World Health Organization – given mandate, and has supported ISO 15189 accreditation of 11 National Reference laboratories in the region. This is marketing Uganda’s healthcare system internationally.
Ther Ministry of Health PS, Dr Diana Atwine, on Tuesday, commissioned the newly refurbished maternity ward at Butenga HC IV in Bukomansimbi District.
It was refurbished with support from Korean Foundation for International Health (KOFIH).
Additionally, KOFIH also supported the construction and equipping of the Surgical Ward, OPD and Emergency Unit Block.
Digital X-rays, ambulance and emergency care equipment and supplies have been procured to support health service delivery at Bukomansimbi District.
“Once we have buildings, equipment and health workers, patients will come and receive quality services,” Dr Atwine said during the ceremony.
She added, “All this capacity is enabling Butenga HCIV to handle referrals from Bukomansimbi, Masaka, Lwengo, Ssembabule and Kalungu and from as far as Gomba.”
https://x.com/DianaAtwine/status/1701522964896776336?s=20
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