Minister of Finance (General Duties) and Rubanda East MP, Henry Musasizi, has commissioned a state-of-the-art ambulance to Hamurwa Health Center IV in Rubanda District as part of government efforts to improve emergency medical response and patient transportation in hard-to-reach areas.
The ambulance, a Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number UG3100163, was officially handed over to health authorities on Friday. The vehicle is expected to improve access to referral services for patients from remote sub-counties and neighboring districts, where rugged terrain often delays critical care.
While the ambulance will be stationed at Hamurwa Health Center IV, it has been designated to serve the entire Rubanda District. Minister Musasizi applauded the Ministry of Health for prioritizing emergency transportation in mountainous regions like Kigezi, noting that this type of robust vehicle is well-suited for the district’s geographical challenges.
In addition to the ambulance handover, the minister pledged to raise the issue of limited drug supplies at Hamurwa Health Center IV during a forthcoming Cabinet session. The move follows growing concerns over the increasing patient load at the facility, which serves not only Rubanda but also receives patients from Kanungu and Rukiga districts.
To ensure adequate drug allocation, the minister tasked district leaders with compiling monthly patient statistics.
Dr. Abdon Birungi, Rubanda District Health Officer, revealed that the district refers an average of 20 patients per month to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital and other centers such as Muko and Hamurwa.
He emphasized that the new Type B ambulance, which functions as a mobile mini-ICU, is equipped to provide life-saving care during transit, especially for mothers, infants, and critically ill patients.
Rubanda LC5 Chairperson Stephen Ampeire Kasyaba cautioned against politicizing the ambulance’s placement, stressing that it remains a shared district resource.
He noted that with the anticipated establishment of a district hospital, another ambulance is expected to be added, ensuring wider coverage and access.
Dr. Stewart Turanzomwe, the facility in-charge and a gynecologist, said Hamurwa Health Center IV now serves an estimated catchment population of 8,000 people, with approximately 1,500 outpatients each day.
He added that the center has become a regional destination for maternal services, thanks to new equipment including a CBC machine, ultrasound scanner, maternity beds, and an expanded maternity ward.
The arrival of the ambulance marks a significant step forward in strengthening healthcare delivery and reducing delays in emergency medical response in Rubanda and its neighboring districts.
The Source Reports.
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