By Weswa Ronnie
SIRONKO
A Health Center III in the hard to reach area is operating without electricity and piped clean water.
Mbaya Health Centre III located at Butandiga Town Council in Sironko district only has one solar panel which can’t light all rooms and one 10,000 litter water tank.
This was revealed by Jude Byeye, the Health Center In Charge on Wednesday, 3rd January, 2024 while speaking to district leaders on who had gone to inspect ongoing construction works of three blocks at the facility.
Mbaya is the only health centre at a hard to reach area in Sironko district which serves people from the Sub counties of Butandiga, Butandiga town council, Masaba, and Bukyabo.
Byeye says they use the water 10,000 litters tank to collect rain water from the roof of the health facility for patients to drink and use.
He adds that during rainy seasons, even the few wards which use solar can’t light due to lack of enough sunshine to charge solar panels leaving patients using kerosene and candles.
The In Charge also says that rain water is shared with the community so it can’t last for one week leaving patients and health facilities with no water.
Livingstone Giluli, the LCV chairperson of Sironko district has called for calm saying that the district has plans of extending piped clean water to the facility and neighboring community.
He says that he will talk to the area Member of Parliament, Isaiah Sasaga Wanzira to lobby for electricity for the area such that they can connect power to the health facility.
When contacted, Isaiah Sasaga said that the rural electrification program is moving in the district adding that even Butandiga Town Council will be covered.
Meanwhile, Andrew Wasukira, the Sironko District Engineer praised the ongoing construction works at the health centre urging locals to embrace the works.
