Long walk for X-ray services in Nebbi

Highlights

• Patients walk for over 10 kilometers to access X-ray machine
• The X-ray needs about UShs 4 million for repair

By Okaba Patrick

Nebbi. Patients at Nebbi hospital are walking long distances to seek for X-ray service in private clinics ever since the government’s only X-ray machine procured by the ministry of health has been idle for the last two years.

One of the patients, Rwothomio Felix, spent not less than UShs 50,000 including consultation fee for the X-ray service at a private clinic when they are referred from Nebbi hospital.

“It is very costly for a poor person to afford X-ray services at a private clinic. And those who cannot afford it end up selling their assets to foot X-ray bills.”  

He adds that when the nearby X-ray services within the vicinity of Nebbi hospital register complications, patients travel a long distance of over 10 kilometers to Angal hospital for X-ray service.

The Acting District Health Officer, Dr Justine Okwairwoth, said the X-ray machine has been out of use for the last two years due to breakdown.

Okwairwoth added that the X-ray was part of the renovation packages that the ministry of health sent to Nebbi Hospital and since it is the only one, patients with complications which need X-ray services are referred to the nearby private clinics or to Angal hospital to access the service.

When asked about the X-ray would be available, he said the management of Nebbi hospital is waiting from the Ministry of health to renew the contract for the service provider to repair the X-ray machine.

“We only have public health facilities with X-ray services and they are very far from Nebbi hospital. When patients are referred for the services, the cost goes back to the patients,” Okwairwoth said.

X-ray machines

Medical X-rays are used to see what is happening inside the body. X-rays pass through objects like body tissue and project a picture onto a film. Trained medical personnel can then read these images to diagnose medical conditions or injury.

Nebbi Hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr Wilfred Omirambe, said on average 10 patients are referred daily from Nebbi hospital to other health facilities seeking for X-ray services.

“We charge every patient UShs 10,000 as maintenance cost for the X-ray machine and part of the money being charged goes for printing and buying of black films.”

Costs to repair an X-ray

He said the X-ray needs about UShs 4 million for repair. But due to meager resources, the hospital management is unable to repair the X-ray.

He says the hospital gets around UShs 381 million as a conditional grant under the Primary Health Care (PHC), where 30 per cent go for prevention and health promotions. And the 70 per cent is for maintenance and buying of fuel which is still inadequate.