The Minister of Health, Dr Ruth Aceng has warned the staff of Arua Regional Referral Hospital against stealing items from the new Outpatients department (OPD).
Dr Aceng issued the warning during the commissioning and handover of the multi-billion modern storage OPD for Arua Regional Referral Hospital.
The OPD was constructed by Yokogawa Architects and Engineers, a Japanese company at a cost of 31.6 billion Shillings. About 26 billion Shillings was used for the building, while 5.6 was used to install modern equipment at the facility. The money was a grant from the government of Japan to improve health facilities in Uganda through Uganda-Japanese International Corporation-JICA.
Dr Aceng’s warning comes after Arua Regional Referral Hospital lost a new ambulance early this year and reports that one printer, three laptops and four desktop computers were also stolen from the OPD site during construction. She said the government continues to invest in health facilities in Arua but she gets disturbing reports of theft of items from the hospital which is not the case in other regions.
Meanwhile, Dr Henry Mwebesa, the Director-General health services pledged to ensure that specialists are posted to work in the new facility.
Uchiyama Takayuki, the JICA Chief representative to Uganda while handing over the modern OPD facility urged the hospital staff and administration to ensure that it provides quality services for the people of the region and beyond.
However, Dr Filbert Nyeko, the Director of Arua Regional Referral Hospital explained that they will concentrate on decongesting the hospital in addition to ensuring that the new facility is properly maintained.
According to Alice Akello, the Resident City Commissioner Arua, the insecurity loopholes brought about by the mix-up between Arua city and Arua district should be addressed.
Among the equipment installed in the modern OPD include general and dental X-rays. Haematology and Chemistry Analyzer, 12 Patient Monitors, Ultra-Modern X-Ray and Theatre equipment among others.
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