Power Fault Halts Soroti Hospital Surgeries, Diverts Patients

Soroti Regional Referral Hospital (SRRH) has experienced a major disruption to its surgical services following a dangerous electrical fault. The power surge, which occurred on Friday, sent an electrical current through vital theatre equipment, causing serious concern among medical staff.

Senior consultant surgeon Sr. Mary Margaret Ajiko described the incident as “shocking,” recounting how an anesthetist was thrown to the ground and an anesthetic machine caught fire. She emphasized the grave danger, noting that touching any metallic object in the theatre was causing shocks, posing a significant risk to unconscious patients.

With the operating theatre now a “no-go zone,” all major surgeries are being rerouted to Princess Diana Health Centre IV. This has placed a considerable burden on the smaller facility, despite SRRH providing its own surgical teams and equipment. Sr. Ajiko highlighted the risks, including a near-loss of two mothers due to the health centre’s lack of a backup generator, and stressed the urgent need to address existing infrastructural limitations.

Dr. Alfred Anyonga, Soroti City Health Officer, confirmed a substantial increase in cases at Princess Diana Health Centre IV. While minor procedures are being handled at lower-level facilities, space has become a critical issue.

Hospital administrators have acknowledged the circuit failure and are undertaking repairs, which include replacing cabling and re-earthing the theatre’s power line. A contractor is working on the system, with hopes to have the theatre operational by the weekend. In the meantime, Princess Diana Health Centre IV is receiving support, and an ambulance is on standby to transfer overflow cases if needed. The incident has reignited calls for government investment in the hospital’s infrastructure.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)