PALLISA — Hon. Balaam has visited Pallisa General Hospital following persistent complaints from locals over alleged sale of drugs and lack of critical diagnostic equipment.
During the visit, residents told the Minister that the hospital’s X-ray machine has not been functional for nearly 10 years, forcing patients to seek expensive services from private clinics. The Minister confirmed to residents that a new X-ray machine will be installed in November this year.
On the other complaints raised, including alleged sale of drugs to patients, Hon. Balaam said he will formally engage the Ministry of Health for urgent intervention.
Pallisa General Hospital, built in 1966 with a 100-bed capacity, has never seen a major rehabilitation and expansion to cope with the growing number of patients. It now has a capacity of 109 beds.
The facility serves as the main referral hospital for Pallisa and neighbouring districts like Kibuku, Kaliro, Butebo, Budaka and part of Teso region. It now serves more than 450,000 people from within Pallisa and neighbouring districts, handling over 5,000 outpatient visits each month.
For years, the hospital has operated without key equipment. The hospital’s only X-ray machine broke down in 2020 and has never been replaced or repaired.
“We try our best, but without an X-ray machine, it’s like working in the dark. We have to refer patients to seek these services to private clinics or to Mbale regional hospital, which is over 30km away,” said the Associate Consultant Physician.
Patients are forced to pay between Shs20,000 to Shs 30,000 per session in private clinics, which is quite costly for common people.
The crisis goes beyond X-ray. The hospital has gone three years without a working X-ray machine and two years without functioning ultrasound equipment.
Funding remains a major challenge. Although the hospital’s operational budget was recently raised from Shs70 million to Shs100 million per quarter, actual needs approach Shs1 billion.
Drug stock-outs have also been a recurring problem. Health workers only prescribe for them the drugs and they proceed to buy from private clinics and pharmacies in Pallisa Town Council.
Residents have also previously accused some staff of extortion, with a report indicating expectant mothers are charged between Shs300,000 and Shs400,000 for caesarean section.
Hon. Balaam said Government is committed to restoring public confidence in Pallisa General Hospital. He assured residents that he will escalate the drug and staffing issues to the Ministry of Health and the National Medical Stores for immediate action.
