Kisoro, Uganda – Buhoozi Health Centre III has been plunged into darkness for over a week following a lightning strike that damaged its power transformer, leaving patients and medical staff struggling to cope without electricity.
The health facility, which serves parts of Bufumbira North and Bukimbiri constituencies and receives an average of 45 patients daily, has been without power since the lightning incident occurred over the weekend.
Patients have voiced frustration over the worsening conditions, particularly at night, when health workers are forced to use torches and candles to attend to patients in critical need of care.
Concerns have also been raised about the poor state of the road leading to the facility, which complicates access to what is considered a vital referral centre for the area.
Kamari Robert, Chairperson of the Health Centre Management Committee, echoed the community’s concerns. He noted that residents feel abandoned by the relevant authorities and called for urgent intervention to restore electricity and ensure continuity of services.
Meanwhile, the health centre in-charge, Turyamureba Muhammed, said that despite reporting the issue to the relevant authorities multiple times, no response has been received. He also pointed to chronic understaffing at the facility, which continues to hinder the delivery of quality healthcare services.
The community is now appealing for immediate government support to repair the damaged transformer and improve both staffing levels and infrastructure at the facility.
