By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,
Kabale
Health experts in the Kigezi Sub-Region are emphasizing the urgent need for a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to address the escalating cases of neonatal deaths in the area, which was brought to light by Dr. Abdon Birungi, the Head of District Health Officers in Kigezi Sub-Region, during the Kigezi Regional Joint Review Mission aimed at assessing health intervention methods, best practices and challenges within the subregion.
The theme of the event was “Invigorating Health Promotion & Disease Prevention,” and it was officially opened by Commissioner National Disease Control, Dr. Patrick Tusiime.
The event’s second day, held at the National Teachers College in Kabale Municipality focused specifically on “invigorating health promotion and disease prevention; My Role, Your Role, Our Roles.” The program highlighted how crucial a neonatal intensive care unit is for the immediate treatment of newborns and reducing neonatal mortality rates in the region. Dr. Birungi addressed how the absence of NICUs in Kigezi Sub-Region continually registers between 50 to 150 neonatal cases each month.
Dr. Birungi also stated that the majority of neonatal cases in the region get referred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital and Holy Innocents children’s hospital also in Mbarara for medical attention, which is quite a considerable distance away and causes hurdles for many families in the area. He revealed that the lack of NICUs in the region and chilling weather conditions are contributing factors to the unfortunate demise of newborns, underscoring the pressing necessity for the establishment of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
In response, the Ministry of Health Spokesperson, Emmanuel Ainebyoona acknowledged the pressing need for a neonatal intensive care unit in the region. Ainebyoona disclosed that plans for a neonatal intensive care unit in every referral hospital are already in motion within the Ministry.
The Ministry plans to initiate the construction of an intensive care unit at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital. This unit will encompass a dedicated neonatal intensive care facility aimed at significantly curbing neonatal mortality rates among newborns in the region. It is a promising start to address the crucial issue the Kigezi Sub-Region is facing.
