Adjumani gets Shs 1.8 Bn Intensive Care Unit

Highlights

• The unit was recently established with funding from the World Bank under the Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project (DRDIP) project
• ICU requires constant care and close supervision from life-support equipment and medication in order to ensure normal bodily functions

By Okudi Martin

A team of biomedical engineers from Joint Medical Stores has completed the installation of medical-grade oxygen piping at the newly constructed UShs 1.8 billion Intensive Care and Medical Emergency Unit at Adjumani General Hospital.

The unit was recently established with funding from the World Bank under the Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project (DRDIP) project, implemented by the Office of the Prime Minister.

Adjumani District, which hosts over 250,000 refugees, mainly from South Sudan, relies on this facility to address medical crises for both local and refugee populations.

Kenneth Rubango, Director of Biomedical Engineering at Joint Medical Stores, said there was a need to ensure that oxygen supply is reliable to patients.

We will also provide preventive and corrective technical maintenance for the equipment 

What ICU handles

ICUs are also distinguished from general hospital wards by a higher staff-to-patient ratio and access to advanced medical resources and equipment that is not routinely available elsewhere.

Some of the common conditions that are treated within ICUs include acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, and other life-threatening conditions.

Dr Dominic Drametu, the District Health Officer, highlighted the critical role of the unit’s ten beds in stabilizing patients with severe medical conditions or injuries from road accidents before transferring them to larger hospitals.

However, the unit currently operates at 40% capacity due to a shortage of specialized healthcare workers.

“Despite this, the ICU has proven essential in managing life-threatening cases over the past four months,” Dr Drametu said.

Health officials are urging further support to equip the hospital to fully serve both national and refugee communities.