Excitement As Rakai Hospital Gets Neonatal Care Unit

The opening of a neonatal intensive care unit at Rakai district hospital has excited mothers and residents. 

The unit, which has a 15 bed capacity, is expected to reduce the death of premature babies and improve health service delivery in Rakai and its neighboring districts.  

Information obtained from Rakai Hospital show that 5000 premature babies were delivered at the hospital last year. However, the hospital couldn’t handle them due to lack of the required facilities. 

Helen Nakintu, the Coordinator of Brick by Brick Uganda, a Non-Governmental Organization that advocates for improved health for young mothers in Masaka region, says they have been receiving calls from the managers of the hospital about the need for a neonatal unit.    

 

She says the unit which is at a level 2 special care, will help much to address the challenge of referring mothers to Masaka and Mbarara Regional Referral Hospitals for such services. 

//Cue in: “Ye unit esoose….

Cue out:….nabatukwatirako”

Agnes Namukasa, a patient attendant found at Rakai hospital, says it has been very expensive for mothers to seek neonatal services because of the high transport costs and the cost of hiring incubator from health units outside Rakai district.

She says that the intensive care unit will enable patients and mothers get quality health cares for their babies at an affordable cost near their homes.  

Yasin Kiyemba, the Medical Superintendent Rakai hospital thanked Masaka Regional Referral Hospital authorities for helping them to train health workers at the Hospital to operate the equipment. 

He says the trained staff will be used to train nurses and doctors.  

Godfrey Bakokyoyiga, the Lwamagwa sub county LC V councilor, thanked Brick by Brick for financing the establishment of the neonatal intensive care unit and appealed to the expectant mothers to always seek medical services from qualified health workers.   

 

//Cue in: “Njagaala kubiriza…

Cue out:…mukulakulana….,”//