By Masejele Sulaiman
Residents of Bulambuli District are set to have easier access to X-ray services following the delivery of a machine worth about UGX 160 million to Muyembe Health Centre IV.
The equipment was delivered on Monday by the Ministry of Health through Uganda National Medical Stores following lobbying by Hon. Sarah Nambozo Wekomba, the Bulambuli District Woman Member of Parliament.
The development is being viewed as a major step towards the long-standing plan to upgrade Muyembe Health Centre IV, located in Bulambuli Town Council, to a district hospital.
The Ministry of Health requires the facility to have key services and infrastructure, including an operating theatre, X-ray and scanning services, among other requirements, before it can attain hospital status.
Hon. Wekomba said the X-ray machine was one of the commitments she made after successfully lobbying for other medical equipment for the facility during her time in the 10th Parliament.
She previously secured a scanning machine and a flashlight lamp for mothers during delivery, which have since been installed in the facility’s delivery theatre.
Speaking to journalists during the delivery of the X-ray machine, Wekomba said she pushed for the equipment because residents have been travelling long distances to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital to access X-ray services.
She said the new machine will reduce the financial burden on patients while bringing essential diagnostic services closer to the people.
Wekomba expressed optimism that the ongoing improvements at Muyembe Health Centre IV will help accelerate its elevation to a district hospital.
She also pledged to lobby for the upgrading of lower-level health facilities in the district, including the elevation of Health Centre IIs to IIIs and Health Centre IIIs to IVs, as part of efforts to improve access to healthcare in Bulambuli.
Bulambuli District Health Officer Martin Naimu confirmed that the machine had been delivered but said it would not immediately start operating.
According to Naimu, the district is expected to construct a suitable room with the required cooling system where the machine will be installed. An expert will also be secured to operate the equipment before X-ray services begin.
Naimu said the arrival of the machine would significantly benefit residents who previously had to travel to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital for X-ray services.
He explained that the long distance and associated transport costs made it difficult for many patients to access the service.
Residents who spoke to our reporter welcomed the development, describing it as an important investment in healthcare for the district. They urged other leaders to emulate Wekomba by lobbying for additional services and development projects that can improve the lives of people in Bulambuli.