Tororo Hospital Officials Seek Referral Status Amidst Hygiene Concerns

Officials at Tororo General Hospital have formally requested that Parliament champion their facility’s upgrade to a regional referral hospital. Senior Nursing Officer Stella Agembi highlighted the hospital’s robust infrastructure, equipped facilities, staffing levels, and ample space for future expansion as key reasons for the proposed elevation.

Agembi stated that Tororo General Hospital is strategically located to serve a substantial population. Its immediate catchment area is approximately 63,000 people, but it also caters to patients from five neighboring districts and even parts of Kenya. This broad service area means the hospital effectively serves over a million people, many of whom require specialized services not currently offered at a general hospital level.

“The regional referral status comes with improvements in the staffing structure, equipment, and even better infrastructure,” Agembi explained, emphasizing the need for enhanced capacity to meet high patient demand. The hospital possesses over 10 acres of land, providing significant potential for expansion.

During an oversight visit by the Parliament’s Committee on Health, Members of Parliament observed that Tororo General Hospital appeared better positioned for an upgrade compared to other general hospitals they had reviewed that week. They noted the presence of diagnostic equipment suitable for a general hospital and acknowledged considerable support from development partners such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency and Baylor College of Medicine.

Despite these positive observations, the committee raised serious concerns regarding hygiene standards within the hospital. Deputy Chairperson Hon. Hope Nakazibwe specifically pointed out the poor conditions in the maternity ward and the outpatient department, warning that such environments could deter patients. She urged the hospital administration to prioritize improvements, suggesting the use of Primary Health Care funds for better sanitation facilities and daily cleaning services.

The MPs cautioned that inadequate hygiene in the maternity ward could increase the risk of sepsis, a life-threatening infection, among expectant mothers. They also advised the hospital to discontinue the use of formalin for disinfecting its placenta pit due to potential environmental and health hazards.

Earlier, the committee had visited Masafu General Hospital in Busia District, where they were disturbed by reports of exorbitant charges for releasing bodies from the mortuary, with some individuals allegedly paying up to Shs200,000. The district leadership was instructed to investigate these alleged corrupt practices.