RUBANDA: Christians and Clergy Urge Government to Elevate Muko Health Center III to Health Center IV

Summary:

• Rev. Fr. Felix Odeda, the Parish Priest of Muko Catholic Church, and Vincent Turihabwe Kibuye, the Chairman of Muko Catholic Church Parish Council, expressed their belief that attaining Health Center IV status would enable the provision of surgery services and establishment of a theater, among other benefits.

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RUBANDA: Christians and clergy at Muko Catholic Church Parish in Muko Sub County, Rubanda West County, are urging the government to elevate Muko (NGO) Health Center III to a Health Center IV.

This plea was made yesterday during the thanksgiving and fundraising event for Rubanda West County Member of Parliament, Honorable Moses Kamuntu Mwongyera. The event commenced with a mass led by Rt. Rev. Calist Rubaramira, the Bishop of Kabale Diocese, with the aim of raising funds to furnish Muko Health Center III in order for it to meet the standards required for Health Center IV status.

Rev. Fr. Felix Odeda, the Parish Priest of Muko Catholic Church, and Vincent Turihabwe Kibuye, the Chairman of Muko Catholic Church Parish Council, expressed their belief that attaining Health Center IV status would enable the provision of surgery services and establishment of a theater, among other benefits. They emphasized that the health center currently serves over 20,000 people in the community.

CUE IN FR ODEDA AND KIBUYE…. ON GOVERNMENT…… RR/ENG//

Moses Kamuntu Mwongyera, the Member of Parliament for Rubanda West, shared his personal connection with the facility, recounting how he was treated for measles there in 1995. Kamuntu emphasized the facility’s crucial role in handling accident cases and serving the Batwa community. He pledged to vigorously advocate for its elevation to a Health Center IV, equipped with an adequate number of doctors to cater to the community’s needs.

CUE IN KAMUNTU…. ON THE FACILITY…… RR/ENG//

In response, Dr. Abdon Birungi, the Rubanda District Health Officer, outlined the criteria for achieving Health Center IV status. He explained that the facility must have a theater, doctors, and capacity for emergency operations. Dr. Birungi also stressed the importance of a wide catchment area, sufficient infrastructure, and human resources.

He advised the facility’s management to submit a formal request to district officials for approval such that it also gets submitted to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health for consideration.

CUE DR ABDON…. ON THE GUIDELINES…… RR/ENG//

A total of 136 million shillings was collected in cash, with an additional 60 million shillings pledged, out of the required 200 million shillings needed to furnish the facility, according to Rev. Fr. Felix Odeda.