Frequent power outages can ruin films, Mr. Jeffrey Oromkan, senior nurse at Pakwach IV Medical Center, said in the GeneExpert office. Photo: Felix Warom Okello
According to our reporter’s investigation, Zhongbo Hospital lost 13 people last year alone, especially those who relied on life support machines and oxygen inhalation.
Zombo County Health Officer Dr. Mark Bonnie Bramali confirmed that they lost 13 patients in various healthcare facilities between 2021 and 2022.
“This is due to unstable power supply throughout the Zombo area. We have installed heavy medical equipment in the hospital that must run on a stable power source. Although we are connected to both the Nyagaka hydroelectric power plants and our solar power, the supply was cut off inconsistently. West Power Plants Nile Rural Electrification Company (Wenreco) cannot support these machines,” he said.
Sometimes the electricity works for a shorter time and then goes out, he said, adding: “In this failure, patients who need respiratory support die.”
In Pakvachsky district, the management of the Health Center IV confirmed one case of death registered in 2022 as a result of a power outage.
Dr. Jammy Omara, medical director of Nyapea Hospital, said: “We have a three-phase solar system (primary source), Wenreco grid (first standby) and generators (second standby). So the losses are not due to power outages in the hospital.” The main impact of the power outage is the oxygen supply of the Arua District Specialist Hospital, which has an oxygen plant that refills the oxygen tanks for all hospitals.”
Mr Jeffrey Oromkan, Chief Nurse at Pakwach Health Center IV, confirmed last month that a premature baby died due to a power outage.
“We have power outages, but our machines need constant power. Our Gene Expert TB machine needs to work until the last test, but if the power goes out, the tests stop, which wastes cartridges. We recently lost money due to a power outage. with electricity. 40 rounds,” he said.
When they had an emergency, the medical center did not have enough fuel to run the generators.
“The worst thing is that the theaters cannot be used due to shortages. If the electricity is not stable, then it is difficult to sterilize the equipment in the theaters. In the maternity wards and neonatal wards, babies also died due to power outages,” he said.
Pakwach Health Center IV sometimes has power outages for more than five hours. In emergencies, many of these patients were referred to Angal, Lacor or Nebbi hospitals with backup generators. The generators operating in the center consume 40 liters of fuel per day.
August 27, 2020 remains a dark day for Mr. Festo Okopi and his wife Mrs. Grace Tsikavun, residents of Jupanyondo Village, Nyibola District, Paidha City Council, Zombo District, who died due to a power outage during childbirth.
“When the doctors discovered that she could not give birth normally, she underwent surgery. But, unfortunately, the girl died from lack of oxygen when the electricity was cut off at the Niapé hospital. I was injured, but I forgave the hospital administration because they worked hard to save the life of my wife and children,” he said. He urged the government to connect them to the national grid.
“It hurts a lot to lose a life like that. The responsibility for providing adequate and affordable electricity lies with the government. I believe the government is aware of our plight and should not continue to make promises,” he said.
Mr. Stephen Okello, a resident of Yupanjau Township, Tata District, Nebbi Municipality, also recalled that he lost his father due to lack of oxygen after the power outage.
On June 18, 2021, five Covid-19 patients died as a result of a power outage at the Arua hospital.
Asked if the family would sue the hospital, Mr. Okello said the family did not want to sue because of the long lawsuit.
Responding to these claims, Mr. Kenneth Kigumba, Managing Director of Wenreco, said: “We have dedicated lines for specialty hospitals and regional hospitals like Nebbi and we don’t turn off the power. These facilities only come on when we have nothing to do. Power outages, such as when the Nyagak dam collapsed and Electromaxx had no fuel supply to the grid.”
According to the Afrobarometer 2021 report, only a quarter of Ugandans (26%) live in connected households. Urban residents (67%) are five times more likely to have access to electricity than rural residents (13%).
In a June 29 report, electricity supplier Wenreco noted: “The hospital’s chief electrician was not available (during the outage), but the key to the generator room was with him. The hospital administration called him, but he did not answer. So the janitor had to go to his house for the keys, but he found a drunken electrician at home.”
We are coming to you. We are always looking for ways to improve the story. Let us know what you like and what we can improve.
The legislators intend not only to terminate the contract, but also to prohibit the contractor from any transactions with the government after reimbursement of the down payment of 16 million euros.
After more than 20 years of delay, Uganda has begun work on a competition law.
Donald Trump didn’t get the energy he hoped for after launching the new White House plan.
Post time: Dec-10-2022