Upgrade Hama Health Center to Save Mothers - Namayingo Residents

 

In the remote islands of Wayase and Hama in Lolwe Sub County, Namayingo District, mothers are paying a heavy price—sometimes with their lives—due to the lack of adequate healthcare services. Residents and local leaders are now urging the Ugandan government to elevate Hama Health Center II to a Level III facility to address the rampant deaths of mothers during childbirth.  

 

Constructed in 2000, Hama Health Center II is the only health facility serving over 300 patients daily from Hama, Wayase, Siiro, Syamulala, and even some patients who cross over from Kenya. However, the facility is severely understaffed and under-resourced, with only one health worker attending to the overwhelming number of patients.  

 

Naume Slivar and Nabukonda Betriec, local women representatives, highlighted the dire situation, stating that many lives have been lost due to the absence of experienced doctors and proper medical equipment. "We need the Ministry of Health to elevate this facility to Level III so that mothers can receive the care they deserve," they pleaded.  

 

For expectant mothers like Conslata Nabwire and Nyadere Scovar, accessing healthcare is a life-threatening ordeal. Many are forced to cross Lake Victoria to Kenya, where they are often denied treatment due to a lack of Kenyan national identification. Others resort to risky boat journeys or traditional birth attendants who lack the necessary skills and resources to handle complications.  

 

"The government must act now. Elevating Hama Health Center II will save mothers from these dangerous journeys and provide them with the care they need," said Kowa Francis, the LC1 Chairperson of Wayase Landing Site.  

 

The facility’s challenges are compounded by a lack of space and emergency services. Joseph Kiza, a local leader, pointed out that the health center has only one room to accommodate all patients, which is insufficient given the high number of cases.  

 

Aching Ruth, a health worker at the facility, revealed that the district recruits staff only once every two years, leaving the center critically understaffed. "If the facility is upgraded, we can receive more funding, staff, and resources to provide proper healthcare," she said.  

 

Muyonga Rajabu, the area LC5 Councilor, emphasized that the health center has been operating beyond its capacity for years, leading to preventable deaths. He also noted that the government’s recent introduction of a water boat ambulance has had little impact on the ground.  

 

Dr. Mathias Mangeni, the Assistant District Health Officer for Namayingo, confirmed the severity of the situation. "Mothers are losing their lives because they cannot afford the high costs of traveling to distant health facilities. Elevating Hama Health Center II to Level III is the solution," he said.  

 

Dr. Mangeni also revealed that the district is planning to recruit more health workers, with a focus on staffing the islands to ensure better access to healthcare.  

 

As the mothers of Namayingo continue to fight for their lives, their plea is clear: the government must act swiftly to upgrade Hama Health Center II and provide the necessary resources to save lives and ensure a healthier future for the community.