Understaffing Affects Health Services at Kiryandongo Panyadoli Health Centre IV

District leaders and health officials in Kiryandongo are expressing concerns over the increasing number of patients at Panyadoli Health Centre IV.

The situation has been exacerbated by inadequate staffing and a shortage of medical supplies.

The facility operates with only 50% of the required staff, most of whom are on contract through non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Panyadoli Health Centre IV, located in Bweyale Town Council within Kiryandongo District, is the only government health facility in the town.

Unfortunately, it faces significant congestion due to a high population, which has been further strained by the influx of refugees into the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement.

Upon arrival at the facility, visitors are immediately struck by the overwhelming number of patients waiting to receive medical care, with long queues extending through the grounds.

The facility’s verandas are overcrowded, with wards struggling to accommodate the constant flow of patients.

Dr. Nicholas Sabiti, the Health Centre in charge, reports that the facility receives between 300 to 400 patients daily.

This volume has proven overwhelming, especially with the severe staffing shortages.

“We receive a large number of patients, but the ratio of medical workers to patients is far too small. This is severely affecting our ability to provide adequate care,” said Dr. Sabiti.

According to Dr. Sabiti, the heavy patient load has taken a toll on the medical staff, who are often overworked, leading to exhaustion and compromising their ability to offer quality care.

As a result, some patients are turned away and advised to return the following day.

“Even the 50% of staff we have are employed by NGOs, and many of them have contracts that frequently end. This makes our work even more challenging. We do our best, but the numbers are overwhelming as we serve both the local community and refugees,” Dr. Sabiti added.

Kiryandongo District Chairperson, Edith Aliguma, is calling on the government to increase staffing in the district, especially given the growing number of refugees seeking medical care.

“Every day, we have refugees coming to Kiryandongo, and they are competing for the same services as the locals. We are appealing to the government to address this issue as soon as possible,” Aliguma said.

These concerns were raised during a handover ceremony for medical equipment donated by Action Against Hunger.

The donation included therapy machines, radiant warmers, and feed cups to support the neonatal department, which has seen an increase in premature births, especially among refugee populations.

Medical professionals at the facility report receiving at least 15 premature births each month, despite ongoing shortages of equipment.

“While in Kiryandongo, we noticed that the number of premature births is alarmingly high. Initially, staff were using bulbs to provide warmth for premature babies. This prompted us to solicit funds, and we are hopeful that these new donations will save many children,” said Sarah Namuli, the Field Coordinator for Action Against Hunger.