The Bongo District Hospital is grappling with inadequate infrastructure, shortages of health professionals and gaps in the supply of essential medicines, as the district continues efforts to improve healthcare delivery.
The hospital lacks adequate isolation wards and a proper structure for its antiretroviral therapy and tuberculosis unit, while inadequate office and residential accommodation is also affecting its operations.
The facility also has a limited number of physician assistants and medical doctors, as well as shortages of some routine medicines used for antenatal care.
Dilapidated staff accommodation and limited financial resources are among other challenges affecting the hospital.
The challenges reinforce concerns about the ability of the facility to fully operate at the level expected of a district hospital. Bongo District Chief Executive Diana Asoketarige Ayamga recently said the facility was originally established as a health centre and later upgraded to a hospital, but its infrastructure and equipment have not adequately developed to match its current status.
The challenges extend beyond the district hospital to healthcare facilities across Bongo.
The district continues to face inadequate and incomplete Community-based Health Planning and Services infrastructure, limiting access to healthcare in some communities.
Health authorities have also identified low utilisation of outpatient department services and wellness clinics, staffing shortages, data management challenges and erratic supplies of vaccines, medicines and other essential logistics.
The use of official and personal motorbikes by some health workers without crash helmets has also been identified as a safety concern.
Amid the infrastructure challenges, WaterAid has been undertaking water, sanitation and hygiene interventions at health facilities across the district since 2025.
At the Nyagariga CHPS compound, WaterAid supported the refurbishment of the facility and installed a solar-powered mechanised water system.
The organisation also provided hand hygiene facilities at service delivery points and toilet facilities for staff and patients.
At the Zorko Health Centre, hand hygiene facilities have been provided at service delivery points, along with toilet facilities for staff and patients.
Similar WASH projects are under construction at the Beo, Atampisi and Kadare CHPS compounds after work began in 2026.
The interventions include incinerators, toilet facilities for staff and patients, solar-powered mechanised water systems and Harvest SHE gardens.
The Bongo District Assembly is also undertaking health infrastructure projects through the District Assemblies Common Fund.
Construction and furnishing of a CHPS compound at Akaanaba is at the finishing stage, while another CHPS compound at Gurigo is under construction.
A CHPS compound at Goo has been completed and is currently in use, while construction of another facility at Awaa is ongoing.
The WaterAid and Assembly interventions form part of efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure and access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services across the Bongo District, even as significant infrastructure, staffing and logistical gaps remain.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Anaba Azubire | Bongo
