Power Shortages Threaten Newly Refurbished Nakaseke Hospital Lab

Nakaseke General Hospital faces a significant challenge in maintaining its newly upgraded laboratory services due to unreliable electricity. The facility, which recently received substantial investment for refurbishment and expansion into a regional testing hub, is experiencing power interruptions that jeopardize its operational capacity.

The laboratory, upgraded with support from Baylor Foundation Uganda and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is crucial for diagnostics including HIV and TB testing, viral load monitoring, and cervical cancer screening. It currently supports five point-of-care sites and is designated as a specimen referral hub for 15 health facilities across Nakaseke District.

Despite the significant improvements, the hospital’s Medical Superintendent, Dr. Moses Ocen, highlighted a critical “power constraint.” These interruptions disrupt not only the laboratory but also vital areas like the operating theatre and neonatal intensive care unit. The laboratory’s sensitive equipment and sample storage require a consistent power supply, which is frequently unavailable.

While the hospital possesses a standby generator, insufficient funds for fuel limit its consistent use. To address this, a solar power project, estimated at US$147,000, is underway in partnership with Adara Development Uganda. However, the project requires further funding, with the hospital appealing for support from corporate partners and development organizations.

Failure to secure a stable power supply could undermine the diagnostic capabilities established through the recent refurbishment, impacting healthcare services for an estimated 280,000 people in Nakaseke and surrounding districts. Reliable power is deemed essential for the hospital’s growing role as a regional referral and diagnostic centre.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/power-crisis-threatens-refurbished-nakaseke-hospital-laboratory-5588918