Health 20 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Omoro District Health Services Hampered by Broken Ultrasound Machine for 15 Months
Lalogi Health Centre IV in Omoro District has been unable to provide vital ultrasound scan services for 15 months due to a broken machine, forcing patients to travel long distances or pay for private care. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/medical-services-paralysed-as-omoro-machine-remains-broken-for-15-months-5466390
Medical services at Lalogi Health Centre IV, the primary health facility for Omoro District, have been significantly disrupted for over a year due to a non-functional ultrasound scanner.
The machine, donated in 2018 by Korean organization Good Partners, reportedly became inoperable in March 2025 following a fire outbreak that damaged its components. This breakdown means an average of 500 monthly patients requiring scan services must now be referred to facilities in Gulu City or seek expensive private alternatives.
“That machine was donated in 2018, and the breakdown has had critical implications,” a medical worker stated anonymously. “We have to refer patients to other facilities in Gulu because we cannot handle them from here. Its repair alone needs about Shs10 million.”
Patients’ caretakers have expressed frustration over the added costs and travel time. “My husband sustained injuries from an accident, and I was asked to travel to Gulu for a scan that took me more than one day because the resources were not there,” shared Ms Scovia Atim. The cost in private clinics, around Shs25,000 for a scan, is a significant burden compared to the free services usually offered at the health center.
Dr. Stephen Oringtho, the Omoro District Health Officer, confirmed the breakdown and stated that the Ministry of Health has been informed and is expected to dispatch a technician for repairs. While other services like Outpatient, Maternity, and laboratory services remain active, the lack of the ultrasound machine presents a major challenge.
“The health department has sent the information to the Ministry of Health regarding the repair of the machine, and now the Ministry has confirmed to send a technician to come and make repairs on the machine at any time,” Dr. Oringtho said. The district has allocated Shs7 million towards the repair, with technicians expected imminently.