Kabarole District Leaders are furious over government’s decision to scrap off Health Centre IIs, which they say will gravely hamper health services in rural areas.
Government announced last year the phasing out of the Health Centre IIs over what was called an unsustainable budget.
Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng said Health Centre IIs will be phased out and resources rechannelled to Health Centre IIIs to make them more accessible and efficient.
But Richard Rwabuhinga, the Kabarole District Chairperson says government scrapping of health centre IIs takes away services from the most vulnerable people in rural areas.
He termed this as a death sentence, considering the less-than-satisfactory state of Uganda’s infrastructure and health referral system.
Speaking during the commemoration of the International Malaria Day at Boma grounds in Fort Portal, Rwabuhinga told Minister of State for Health General Duties Hon. Sarah Opendi that government should reverse its decision on the Health Centre IIs.
He called on government to reconsider the health centre IIs and budget for the drugs for these facilities because their services are impactful.
Sylvia Rwabwogo the district woman MP Kabarole added her voice, saying there is no justification for government for scrapping off the health services for the marginalized communities.
In her communication, Minister Opendi didn’t respond to the issues of health centre IIs but urged the leaders to sensitize communities to utilize these available health center IIIs and IVs to off load congestion of patients at Fort Portal referral hospital.