The government has through the Ministry of Health earmarked Shillings 300million for the installation of a brand new digital X-ray machine at Buliisa general hospital.

The digital X-ray machine has been lying idle for two years since it was procured by the Health Ministry owing to the district’s failure to secure money for its complete installation. The health ministry purchased the x-ray machine in 2019 at Shillings 1 billion.

The minister tasked the district to provide more than Shillings 100 million for its complete installation in vain. The X-ray machine has been lacking a power stabilizer, which is very crucial in its operation. Buliisa district officials severally wrote to the health ministry about the problem but did not receive a positive response.

As a result, the majority of patients in need of X-ray services in the district would travel to Hoima regional referral hospital, which is about 80km away. Now Dr. Nelson Naisye, the Buliisa District Health Officer-DHO, says that they have received a communication from the Health ministry indicating that Shillings 300 million has been earmarked for installing the X-ray machine. He says that although the money is yet to get into the district account, they are sure the machine will be up and running by the beginning of next month.

Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the Ministry of Health Public Relations Officer has not yet commented as calls to his known numbers went without reply. Moses Asaba, a resident of Butiaba has welcomed the development, saying that many people in need of x-ray services in the area are going through untold suffering.