During Dr. Baseke's tenure as the Kasese DHO, the district witnessed notable progress in establishing health facilities. The number of health facilities increased from 87 in 2017 to 144 by the time of his retirement.
Dr. Dan Gatare, the Health center IV incharge said the funds will be used to renovate the OPD and laboratory, completion of immunization shelter, construction of an incinerator among others.
The Kasese Municipal Social Services Secretary, Hebert Bwambale had asked the government to re-consider supporting the redevelopment of the hospital noting that it's serving the most hard-to-reach population of the district.
The Hospital Administrator, Clarence Bwambale, says that some of the equipment they are using to offer services to patients was acquired 25 years ago and is worn out and has been overtaken by technology.
The facility serves the sub-counties of Rukoki, Hima, Karusandara, Kasese Municipality, Bugoye, and other surrounding areas. The facility attends to more than 200 clients on a daily.
The investigations follow concerns from some of the patients at the facility who allege that a section of health workers ask them to pay for prescribed drugs that are supposed to be free.
Last week, Kasese Chief Administrative Officer, Elias Byamungu directed the district health officer-DHO to immediately process the redeployment of all appointed staff of Kilembe Mines Hospital-KMH to other health units in the district.
The directive of the CAO follows a decision by Ministry of Health to halt operations of Kilembe mines Hospital -KMH by withdrawing any government support.
Joel Sebikali, the deputy chairperson the health committee of parliament said that committee will recommend the ministry of health to reactive the drug supply line for the facility as they discuss the re-establishment of another fully functional hospital in the area.
Currently, Kasese district has no government ambulance after the only one that was serving Bwera General Hospital caught fire while transporting a patient to Fort-Portal regional referral hospital last year.
The environmentalists argue that poor waste disposal remains a main challenge for local authorities largely due to the lack of sensitization of the masses.
In a statement issued Thursday, the Health Ministry Senior Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ainebyoona, says that the tripartite agreement between the ministry of health, Kilembe mines hospital, and Uganda Catholic Medical bureau-UCMB expired in May 2022 and it has not yet been renewed.
The two were arrested on Monday in connection to a demonstration organised by residents of Bulembia division and the surrounding area against the decision by the Ministry of Health to withdraw the credit line for medical supplies to Kilembe Mines Hospital.
Julius Baguma Bwambale, one of the residents said they wanted to get a detailed explanation on why the Ministry of Health took the decision to withdraw drugs from Kilembe mines hospital yet it’s the only large facility in the area serving over eight sub-counties.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine wrote to the Executive Director of Joint Medical Stores on December 2, 2022, asking for the deactivation of Kilembe Mines Hospital from the list of facilities that qualify for essential medicines and health supplies.
Brian Lukumbuka Robert, the Executive Director Feel of Africa Rights Alliance says there is a need to adopt massive recycling of plastic waste that is increasingly becoming a threat to the environment and people’s lives.
Julius Akanyesiga a resident of Kidodo Cell in Railway Ward said that due to the absence of cancer screening services at lower health facilities many people are diagnosed when it is already too late.
