Kasanda District communities lack healthcare facilities, forcing residents to travel long distances for medical attention.
KASANDA – Communities in several parts of Kasanda District are facing a severe healthcare crisis, with many areas lacking health facilities and forcing residents, especially pregnant women, to travel long distances for medical attention.
Kasanda District, with a population of 89,000, comprises 12 sub-counties and 3 town councils, including Kiganda, Bukuya, and Kasanda Town Council. Despite having 92 parishes and 565 villages, many communities have no access to health centres.
In Bukuya Sub-county, known for gold mining, residents endure particularly poor living conditions. Kijwanganya Village, for example, has no health facility, leaving pregnant women and children vulnerable.
Many expectant mothers resort to traditional birth attendants due to the absence of nearby health facilities.
Others undertake long, costly journeys to seek medical care, often when complications arise.
Child mortality rates remain high due to delayed or inaccessible treatment.
Ggayi Asansiyo, Chairperson of Bukuya Sub-county, confirmed the crisis:
"Women are forced to visit traditional healers because health centres are too far. This has led to preventable deaths."
Residents report frequent outbreaks of preventable diseases among children, with no nearby facilities for treatment.
A new health centre in Kijwanganya, initiated by Bishop James Bukomeko of Mityana Diocese, offers some relief. The facility, currently at Health Centre II level, aims to serve all residents regardless of religious affiliation.
"This health centre will improve healthcare access in Kasanda. We want everyone to benefit."
Locals urge the government to expand health infrastructure in remote areas, deploy more medical personnel, and support maternal and child health programs.
