Yumbe Regional Hospital struggles with increasing patient numbers, shortage of staff

The administration of Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital in Yumbe district is struggling to provide services to patients amidst an acute shortage of essential staff, more than a year after its evaluation from a general hospital.

The facility which is located in Kuru Town council was elevated to a referral hospital in 2020 after its renovation with support from Government and donors.

Currently, the hospital has about 100 staff far below the required number of 534. However, it continues to offer mainly outpatient, maternity and emergency services, amidst the limited number of specialists. 

Locals who seek services at the facility say the hospital continues referring patients to Arua regional referral hospital due to a lack of specialized personnel. Siraj Juma Adisha, the LC 1 chairperson of Enviveya cell in Kuru Town council says that access to quality service at the facility is a big challenge owing to staffing challenges. 

According to Dr Patrick Olwedo the Director of Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital, they do have challenges of staff shortage and the situation worsened after a number of the staff decided to join the Local Government after getting promotions.

Dr Olwedo says there is a need to immediately bridge the staffing gap in light of the increasing number of patients seeking services at the facility.

Yumbe referral hospital has 300 beds and receives patients from the neighbouring districts of Moyo, Koboko, Obongi and as far as South Sudan.

Via URN