BY JOACKIM KULE
Political leaders in Kasese district have advocated for a sufficient wage bill that would facilitate the recruitment of staff to fill the staffing gaps existing at almost all public health facilities across the Local Government.
The 7th National Health Workforce Audit that was done in public health facilities in 2015 found a staffing vacancy rate of 31%.
Lake Katwe Sub County Chairperson, Mr. Wilson Asiimwe says that all the health centers in his area of jurisdiction are lacking sufficient personnel to run them.
According to him, Kabirizi Health Center II has only 03 health workers, Busunga has 04, Hamkungu has 05 and Kasenyi has 09 while Katunguru Health Center III has 07.
He also says that in addition to the staffing levels, even the few who are posted at the health facilities sometimes become absent while others report late, citing need for government to recruit more health workers to fill the existing gaps.
Mbunga Sub county Chairperson, Ms. Ruth Biira says that despite the challenge of lack of enough staff, the sub county is grappling to access improved healthcare services.
She notes that the population in her area of jurisdiction depends on the services of a health center II, hence making it hard for the expectant mothers in the mountainous sub-county to access the required services.
Mr. Nathan Muthabali, the Rukoki Sub-county Council Speaker is worried that amidst the challenge few staff, government has also withdrawn staff from the Private not Profit facilities that supplement the government’s efforts towards the provision of health services to the population.
According to him, recently government withdrew staff from Buhaghura Health Centre III and only left the in-charge.
Kasese District Chairperson, Mr. Eliphazi Muhindi Bukombi Muhindi is also concerned about the withdrawal of staff from the private health facilities, describing the act as unfair since such facilities also serve the citizens.
However, Muhindi unveils that government has lifted a ban on the recruitment of staff, adding that they will soon recruit health workers to fill some of the existing gaps in health facilities.
ENDS