By Aggrey Baba
On Thursday, the Ministry of Health launched the five-day National Measles-Rubella Immunization Campaign at Wakiso Health Centre IV, an event that brought together senior health officials, Wakiso district leaders, health workers and implementing partners.
But beyond the national vaccination drive, the launch also exposed some of the pressing healthcare challenges facing Wakiso, with District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Mathias Lugoloobi calling for a district hospital and boat ambulance to serve the people of Busi Island.
Lugoloobi said Busi remains one of the district’s hardest-to-reach areas because patients and health workers must cross water to access some services and make emergency referrals.
“We need a community hospital. Crossing those waters is becoming a challenge again,” Lugoloobi said.
He said the district needs continued support to ensure that hard-to-reach communities are not left behind whenever major health interventions are rolled out.
The DHO said Wakiso has eight health sub-districts and more than 365 health facilities, comprizing public, private and private-not-for-profit providers. He noted that the scale and complexity of the district requires government to work closely with private and development partners to meet the population’s health needs.
Wakiso also has about 12,808 Village Health Team (VHT) members and 284 community health extension workers currently undergoing training, with support from the Ministry of Health and the Infectious Diseases Institute.
Lugoloobi said these community-based workers are central to mobilizing households for vaccination, health promotion and disease prevention.
However, he disclosed that staffing remains a major challenge across the district’s health facilities, with staffing levels standing at about 44% at Health Centre IIs, 31% at Health Centre IIIs and 35% at Health Centre IVs.
“We are trying, but with the population we serve, I know somewhere, somehow, we shall see an increment in the wage budget so that we can serve our population better,” he said.
He also called for stronger public-private partnerships, saying the government workforce alone cannot adequately respond to the health needs of Wakiso’s huge and growing population.
The DHO further appealed to political, cultural and religious leaders to help health workers mobilize communities and sensitise residents about disease prevention and available health services.
The concerns were raised as the Ministry of Health began the nationwide measles-rubella campaign, targeting all children aged nine months to 59 months between October 1 and 5.
The vaccine is being provided free of charge through health facilities, outreach points and schools, with the Ministry urging parents to have their eligible children vaccinated even where they have previously received measles-rubella vaccination.
The Wakiso launch was graced by Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi, Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine, State Minister for Primary Healthcare Dr Charles Ayume, Director General Health Services Dr Charles Olaro, State Minister for Primary Education Phyllis Chemutai, and officials from the Ministry of Health and partner organizations.
Wakiso district political and technical leaders also attended the launch, including Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Kiza Godfrey Wakiduma, who presented a broader picture of the district’s health infrastructure and service-delivery challenges.
Wakiduma said Wakiso has more than 3.4 million people according to the 2024 census and has made progress in expanding health infrastructure, including the completion of Nangabo Motubagumu and Buloba Kitawuluzi Health Centre IIIs, construction of staff accommodation at Watuba Health Centre III and fencing of Zinga Health Centre III in Busi.
However, he said the district still lacks a district hospital and operates with only two ambulances, creating challenges for emergency referrals.
He appealed to the central government to establish a district hospital, improve infrastructure at Kajjansi Health Centre IV and provide a boat ambulance for Busi Island.
Lugoloobi meanwhile thanked the Ministry and implementing partners, particularly the Infectious Diseases Institute and Red Cross, for supporting community mobilization for the measles-rubella campaign.
He urged health workers to remain committed throughout the five-day exercise so that Wakiso can reach its eligible children and strengthen protection against measles and rubella.
The launch therefore combined the national push to protect children through vaccination with renewed calls from Wakiso leaders for greater investment in the infrastructure, staffing and emergency transport needed to sustain healthcare delivery in the rapidly growing district. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
