By Ivan Mugisha
Kitagwenda District Chairperson Ephrance Kenyonyozi has renewed her appeal to the Ministry of Health to urgently upgrade Ntara Health Centre IV to a district hospital, saying the move would significantly improve access to specialized healthcare services for residents.
Kenyonyozi said Ntara Health Centre IV remains the highest public health facility in the district despite serving a rapidly growing population. However, she noted that it lacks the capacity to provide a range of specialized medical services required by patients.
She said the absence of a district hospital continues to undermine healthcare service delivery, forcing many patients to seek treatment outside the district for services that could be offered locally if the facility were upgraded.
The district chairperson also raised concern over maternal and child health, noting that delays in accessing specialized care have exposed expectant mothers and critically ill patients to unnecessary risks.
She said upgrading Ntara Health Centre IV would reduce patient referrals to other districts, ease congestion at neighbouring hospitals and strengthen emergency medical response within Kitagwenda.
Kitagwenda District, which was created in 2019 after being carved out of Kamwenge District, remains one of the few districts in Uganda without a district hospital.
Before attaining district status, residents depended on Rukunyu Hospital in Kamwenge District for advanced medical care. Today, patients requiring specialized treatment are referred to Rukunyu Hospital, Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Ibanda General Hospital and Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, a situation local leaders say increases healthcare costs and delays access to life-saving treatment.
