Authorities at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital say the facility is overwhelmed by a high number of patients coming from the eleven (11) districts of Bunyoro region and the neighbouring areas of Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

This was after Hoima Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Badru Mugabi visited the hospital following reports of a drug stock out and poor conditions at the facility.

Hospital authorities say they cannot do much since the patients come expecting a service.

 When COU Family TV visited Hoima Regional Referral Hospital in the centre of Hoima City, we found some of the patients and their caretakers lying on the hospital floor, especially in the children’s ward.

The Hoima Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Badru Mugabi, visited the hospital and interacted with some of the patients and their caretakers who raised a number of issues, including being told to buy drugs outside the hospital since there was a stock out.

 Caretaker 1 (we were told by doctors to find other means to buy drugs so that our children can be treated)

KIRABO STELLA- Patient Caretaker from Kakumiro District (We came here on Thursday but we are buying everything outside the hospital starting from Panadol, syringes, canular among others, we don’t know how the government is helping us)

Despite the challenges, the Hoima Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Badru Mugabi, said that he was impressed after finding majority of the health workers at their stations. He said reports that the hospital was in a bad state had been grossly exaggerated.

Dr. Ibrahim Bwaga who received the Resident City Commissioner on behalf of the hospital director, said that the Hospital is overwhelmed by the high number of patients coming from the 11 districts of Bunyoro sub-region and others, including Hoima, Kikuube, Hoima Oil City, Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Masindi, Buliisa, Kiryandonggo, Kagadi, Kibaale and Kakumiro. Others come from Eastern DRC.

Dr. Ibrahim Bwaga said that many patients walk into the referral Hospital irregularly without referrals from general hospitals. Another factor is the failure by lower health centers to manage small cases and the patients end up at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital.

He has asked the Central Government to increase funding for the Referral Hospital since the Population of their catchment area has also increased.

Dr. Ibrahim Bwaga the Acting Director of Hoima Regional Referral Hospital appreciated the medical workers at the facility for the dedication to their work despite a few challenges.

Hoima Regional Referral Hospital was upgraded from District Hospital in 1994 and serves more than 2 million people from Bunyoro region, parts of Buganda and parts of Eastern DR Congo.

Ambrose