By Eric Yiga
Administrators at Mukono General Hospital, a government health facility, are raising alarm over worsening conditions at the maternity ward, where a shortage of delivery beds has forced some mothers to give birth on the floor. Others, after delivery, are instructed to sleep on bare cement floors, exposing them to severe health risks.
Hospital director Dr. Geoffrey Kasirye revealed that the hospital has only eight delivery beds, yet it handles an average of 30 births daily—nearly 900 deliveries every month.
He explained that this overwhelming demand has left many mothers without proper postnatal care, with some discharged before they are fully recovered.
“We urgently need another maternity block with at least 20 beds to reduce the pressure. Mothers are suffering because we lack the facilities to give them the care they deserve,” Dr. Kasirye appealed.
He made the remarks while receiving a donation worth Shs 7 million from Mt. Lebanon Church in Mukono town, under the leadership of Bishop Dr Samuel Lwandasa. The package included mattresses and other supplies to support mothers and improve conditions in the maternity ward.
Beyond maternity services, Dr. Kasirye highlighted broader challenges facing the hospital. The facility treats over 900 patients monthly, including accident victims, expectant mothers, and patients with chronic illnesses. Yet it struggles with critical shortages of medicine, beds, mattresses, and medical supplies.
“Some patients are treated under trees or in tents because we lack enough buildings. Others are forced to share beds, which is both unhygienic and dangerous. We need at least two new permanent buildings with four wards to manage the growing patient numbers,” he added.
Bishop Lwandasa urged Ugandans to take collective responsibility for their communities instead of leaving everything to government.
“It is everyone’s duty, however small, to make a difference where we live. We should support hospitals and appreciate the work of medical staff instead of only criticizing them,” he said.
Bishop Sion Raj Kumar, overseer of the Apostolic Assembly of India, commended the medical team at Mukono General Hospital for their tireless service to Ugandans despite limited resources.
Hospital administrator Umar Nsereko and District Health Officer James Kaweesa thanked the Mt. Lebanon family for the donation and pledged to put it to good use. Local residents also expressed gratitude, saying the intervention came at a time when mothers were suffering greatly due to the lack of basic necessities.
