The Minister of Finance (General Duties), Hon. Henry Musasizi, has commissioned a Shs35 million solar-powered blood refrigerator at Hamurwa Health Center IV in Hamurwa Town Council, Rubanda East Constituency.
The installation marks a significant boost in the delivery of emergency medical care, especially for expectant mothers and patients in critical need of blood transfusion. The blood refrigerator was donated by Bank of Uganda under the theme “Maternal and Child Health Care for a Healthy Society.”
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Friday, Ms Susan Kanyemibwa, the Secretary of Bank of Uganda and head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), emphasized the central role health plays in national development.
“So far, we have supported 13 health centers across the country with similar donations. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to maternal and child health. We’re working closely with the Ministry of Health to achieve this goal,” Ms Kanyemibwa said.
She attributed the extension of the donation to Hamurwa Health Center IV to Minister Musasizi’s lobbying efforts.
“This donation was made possible through Minister Musasizi’s direct appeal for a blood refrigerator at this facility. We recognize that for our people to save and manage money, they must first be healthy. That’s why we are committed to investing in CSR programs that impact the welfare of our clients,” she added.
Dr. Stewart Turanzomwe, the facility’s in-charge and a gynecologist, said Hamurwa Health Center IV serves a catchment population of approximately 8,000 people and registers an average of 1,500 outpatients daily.
“These patients come from Hamurwa Town Council and neighboring parishes. But with the establishment of new services such as an ultrasound scan, maternity ward expansion, maternity beds and a Complete Blood Count machine, we now also receive mothers from Kanungu, Rukungiri, and Rukiga districts seeking antenatal care,” Dr. Turanzomwe noted.
Rubanda District Health Officer, Dr. Abdon Birungi, welcomed the donation and said the blood refrigerator would mitigate the effects of power outages and ensure safe storage of blood for emergency transfusions.
“We’ve been referring patients, especially pregnant mothers, to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital due to a lack of blood. This blood refrigerator is a crucial piece of equipment we’ve been missing. Blood is an emergency drug, when needed, it saves lives. With our theatre now operational, this donation comes at a critical time,” Dr. Birungi said.
In his remarks, Minister Musasizi thanked Bank of Uganda for its support and reflected on his commitment to improving health and education in Rubanda East Constituency.
“When I first ran for Member of Parliament, I prioritized health and education. Seeing the progress at Hamurwa Health Center IV today, and knowing I played a part in uplifting the quality of healthcare here, I am grateful to God,” Minister Musasizi said.
He reiterated the core areas of his campaign: transitioning communities from subsistence to a money economy through programs like the Parish Development Model, improving social services (especially health and education), enhancing road connectivity, and ensuring access to clean water and electricity.
“Our campaign is rooted in these pillars. Without health, we cannot achieve financial inclusion. We aim for a secondary school under USE and a primary school under UPE in every parish, plus better roads and reliable access to water and power,” he remarked.
