Rukoki General Hospital Receives Neonatal Items to Improve Newborn Care

By Owen B. Alton

The Rotary club Snow peaks Kasese, with support from the Rotary Club of Winchester in the United Kingdom, has donated an assortment of neonatal equipment to Rukoki General Hospital in Kasese District as part of its commitment to giving back to the community.

While speaking during the handover of the items yesterday, the District Governor of Rotary District 9214 (Uganda and Tanzania), Ddamulira Daniel Mukasa, said the donated equipment, including five infant incubators, three patient monitors, one oxygen cylinder, and one infant radiant warmer for use in the neonatal ward, is designed to support the vital functions, growth, and development of premature and critically ill newborns at Rukoki General Hospital.

Kasese District LCV Chairperson Eliphaz Muhindi Bukombi thanked the Rotarians for coming together to support the government’s efforts in improving healthcare services. He pledged full cooperation and assured them that all the equipment would be properly maintained. He also acknowledged the challenge of inadequate infrastructure for effective neonatal care at the health facility but pledged to ensure the matter is addressed.

The Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Kasese in charge of Bukonzo County, Lt. Matte Magwara, lauded the development partners for supporting the government in extending quality healthcare services to the people.

He said the neonatal equipment would help reduce the number of newborns who die due to the lack of specialized medical equipment required during and after birth.

The President of the Rotary Club of Kasese Snow Peaks, Namulondo Zulaika, appreciated the community and fellow Rotarians for their timely support to the people of Kasese who are in need.

Meanwhile, Dr. Loice Kabbyanga, the Deputy Medical Superintendent at the hospital, said that last year, at least 1,230 babies were delivered at the facility, with each newborn presenting different medical conditions, some requiring specialized care.

She said the hospital lacks adequate facilities to provide effective neonatal care and appealed to the government to urgently invest in the necessary infrastructure to improve services for newborns.

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