NAPAK DISTRICT – Vice President and Woman MP for Katakwi Jessica Alupo is proud of the work St. Kizito Hospital Matany has been doing for a long time to save lives of Ugandans in Karamoja and the neighbouring districts.
“God put Matany Hospital strategically in Karamoja to save life and we have all the confidence that it will continue to serve the people of Karamoja,” she said about the hospital which has been operating since the early 70s.
Alupo made the remarks during the Hospital Day and Fundraising ceremony at St. Kizito Hospital Matany in Napak district, Karamoja Sub-Region. She acknowledged that Matany Hospital does a lot more than many other facilities in the country and thanked the hospital administration for stretching their funding to do all they do.
The vice president together with minister for Karamoja Affairs JB Lokii pledged to explore possibilities of supporting the hospital to continue with the good work it is doing to save life.
The 283-bed rural hospital located in Napak District is among the 33 Private -Not-for-Profit (PNFP) hospitals in the country run under the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau. It offers various services including an outpatients’ department, maternity, surgical, medical, pediatric and TB wards, Ante-natal clinic, laboratory, X-ray and ultrasound, plus dental care, orthopedic and physiotherapy units.
It also has an ART clinic with a counselling unit and offers EMTCT and primary eye care services. Matany hospital also acts as a referral unit for the Karamoja region.
Alupo was also taken on a guided tour of the hospital by the Br. Gunther, Bp. Dominic Eibu of Kotido Diocese, Dr. Deus, Sr. Paula, the Vicar General of Moroto Diocese and other members of staff.
The Vice President emphasized that the government will continue strengthening partnerships and symbiotic relationships with private and faith-based health providers across Uganda.
She urged the Medical personnel to frequently serve patients with a smile to improve patient experiences, decrease public anxiety, and bolster public trust.
“Every healthcare worker should be encouraged to approach their work with a smile, enthusiasm, empathy and a friendly demeanour. In the bustling world of healthcare, it is easy to become consumed by the demands and pressures of work. However, it is important to remember that the heart of health profession lies in serving and caring for our patients,” Alupo said.
Minister for Karamoja Affairs JB Lokii emphasised that community members deserve to receive the best possible service and to be served with a smile.
“Front-line workers should be recognised for their dedication and the hours they devote to serving the community. A friendly attitude acts as psychological reassurance, helping patients feel safe and valued during stressful medical visits,” Lokii said.
Poor funding
In his report the CEO and Hospital Administrator Br. Günther Nährich highlighted the challenge of sustaining the hospital in the absence of donor funding.
He appreciated Government for the Primary Health Care (PHC) funds that are allocated to Matany Hospital since 1997.
He said other sources of funding for the hospital include user fees and income from the Nurses and Midwifery training school, but the hospital still has a funding gap to sustain its operations.
The challenges he said include keeping the structures efficient, providing the monthly salaries for the employees, providing drugs and equipment plus keeping the nursing and midwifery training school running.
Br. Gunther also listed poor road infrastructure at the hospital as affecting referrals, increasing demand for emergency services, limited specialized medical staff and increasing trauma and accident cases among other challenges.
Bp. Eibu of Kotido Diocese praised the facility for its consistent delivery of quality healthcare services to the local community.
