BUSOLWE, BUTALEJA – Hon. Barugahara Balaam Ateenyi, made a surprise visit to Busolwe General Hospital this week, where he sought eye treatment and got a first-hand look at service delivery at the facility.
During the visit, Hon. Balaam underwent an eye checkup at the hospital’s OPD and was prescribed drugs. While most of the drugs were provided by the hospital, one drug was out of stock, forcing him to buy it from a private pharmacy outside – confirming complaints that the hospital faces a shortage of some essential drugs.
Despite the stock-out, the Minister said he was impressed by the management of the hospital.
According to the hospital signage at the main gate, Busolwe General Hospital is a Ministry of Health facility operating 24/7 with FREE TREATMENT – “Obujanjabi Wa Bwerere”. It offers a wide range of services including ANC & Immunisation, OPD, Laboratory, Chronical Care / ART, Theatre, X-Ray & Scan, Orthopedic & Physiotherapy, Family Planning & Cervical Cancer Screening, Neonatal, Emergency Care, Palliative Care, Maternity, Dental, In-patient and Psychiatry. Visiting hours are 8:00am-9:00am, 1:00pm-2:00pm and 5:00pm-7:00pm.
Hon. Balaam noted that unlike many public facilities where patients are often told to buy drugs, Busolwe does not sell drugs to patients, and the facility is well maintained and very clean.
Following the experience, the Minister pledged to intervene by engaging the Ministry of Health to ensure the hospital is fully stocked with essential medicines.
On the management gap, it was revealed that the hospital does not have a substantive District Health Officer [DHO] but is currently under an acting DHO. Hon. Balaam said he was impressed with the work of the acting DHO and has instructed the Chief Administrative Officer [CAO] of Butaleja that when the District Service Commission is reinstated, the acting DHO should be given first priority for confirmation because he is doing a good job.
Busolwe General Hospital is the main referral facility for Butaleja and neighboring districts in Eastern Uganda.
