Pajule Health Center IV in Pader district is facing challenges of inadequate delivery beds for mothers hindering maternal health services.
The facility serving over 200,000 people, handles an average of seven deliveries daily under severe resource shortages.
Dr Denis Ocaya, the in-charge of the facility, says that the facility is overwhelmed by the high number of expectant mothers who come for maternal services yet the facility has one delivery bed. He says that the shortage of delivery beds leaves expectant mothers to deliver on the floor.
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However, Dr Ocaya said they continue to struggle with issues such as understaffing and limited infrastructure.
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Rachel Odong, a resident asks the authorities to consider purchasing more beds for the maternity ward, saying the majority of the mothers deliver on the flow and after birth are forced to return home.
Pader District health department has reported that they recorded 6,033 deliveries across 38 health facilities towards the end of 2024, covering 59.3% of all births.
Pajule Health Centre IV alone accounted for 1,514 of these deliveries.
In their report, the perinatal mortality rate in the district stood at 11%, while neonatal mortality was at 5%. Additionally, the district had a 3.3% cesarean section rate.
Dr. Benson Oyoo the Acting District Health Officer, acknowledged the challenges but commended the health workers for their commitment. He urged them to continue their efforts as they wait for interventions from the health ministry.
The Pader LCV Chairperson, Col (Rtd) Fearless Obwoya Oyat emphasized the urgent need for additional delivery beds at Pajule Health Centre IV and Laguti Health Centre III.
The district has appealed to the Ministry of Health to upgrade Pajule HC IV to a district hospital. However, the ministry revealed that the upgrade requires 5 billion to 20 billion shillings which is not readily available.
According to the Ministry of Health standards, a health centre IV is a mini hospital. It should have the kind of services found at Health Centre III, but it should have wards for men, women, and children and should be able to admit patients. It should have a senior medical officer and another doctor as well as a theatre for carrying out emergency operations.
Lakomekec Kinyera
Freelancer