Locals urged to embrace uptake of health services

By Mununi Paul Kazira

apearlnews.com

Locals in Ntungamo district have been encouraged to always seek medical services instead of seeking local remedies and witch doctors.

The call was made on Wednesday by Ntungamo district health educator Nesterio Twesigye while Speaking at a community dialogue held at Ruhanga parish hall in Itojo sub-county, Ntungamo district.

Twesigye revealed that the district still has a serious challenge where fewer women attend maternity visits especially during the early months of pregnancy.

Nesterio with Itojo sub-county LC III Chairperson

The meeting attracted locals, members of the village health teams, parish chiefs, community development officers, administrators of Itojo hospital, and officials from Ntungamo district local government headquarters.

Benon Kwesigabo the Itojo sub-county LC III Chairperson called on couples in the area to always open up and seek the guidance of the leaders and responsible offices in the area to check the occurrence of domestic violence and family-related challenges.

Kwesigabo revealed that a big number of families continue to struggle and get challenges in their homes due to silence. He says that silence is mainly common among males who think that speaking out about their challenges is a cowardly act. He also encouraged couples in the area to always legalize their marriages so that they do not get challenges after one of them passes on.

Locals at the dialogue raised concerns which include extortion of money from patients and their attendants, Arrogance of the staff the outpatient and maternity departments at Itojo hospital.

Itojo hospital administrator David Ajuna revealed that the concerns raised by the locals are genuine and promised to take action against the health workers implicated.

Ajuna also shared the numbers of the top hospital administrators with the people at the meeting so that they always report the health workers who have been acting unprofessionally.

Evah Kempogo a member of the village health teams revealed that there is a need for improvement on the services at Itojo hospital laboratory especially for persons living with HIV and aids during the time to have their viral load. She calls on the authorities in the area to ensure that the HIV patients get special attention.