By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu
GULU
Authorities in Gulu city are facing mounting pressure to provide emergency services to neighboring districts, leading to calls for increased resource allocation from the government. The concern was raised during a joint meeting between the Ministry of Health, Uganda Red Cross Society, district leaders, and technical experts at Boma Hotel in Gulu city.
The meeting, which was part of a supervision visit to assess the level of service delivery and emergency medical services in the region, revealed that most districts are relying heavily on Uganda Red Cross Society’s fully equipped ambulances, which are meant to play a supportive role to government services.
Participants at the meeting recommended an increase in the number of ambulances provided to district health facilities, especially referral centers. Currently, Uganda Red Cross Society’s ambulances are mandated to evacuate patients to safety, specifically on highways across the country, and mobilize blood donation.
Dr. Oump Joseph, Senior Medical Officer in charge of Emergency Services at the Ministry of Health, informed leaders in Northern Uganda that the government is rolling out a program to distribute ambulances to every constituency across the country.
The increased demand for emergency services in Gulu city has put a strain on resources, and authorities are calling on the government to allocate more resources to emergency medical care. The situation highlights the need for a more sustainable solution to ensure that emergency services are accessible to all districts in the region.
