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Entebbe, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The construction of an Outpatients Department at Katabi Health Centre III in Entebbe municipality has resumed.
Entebbe Municipal contracted Skylight General Services Ltd to construct the OPD at 200 Million Shillings.
Construction of the OPD was halted last month after the municipal council made changes to the initial design. These changes include adding worktops at the reception and laboratory and also painting the exterior of the block.
The facility currently has only one block that houses the maternity ward, laboratory, treatment rooms and a waiting area. As a result, the centre struggles with overcrowding of patients especially every Wednesday, which is the day for immunization.
The overcrowding is also attributed to the closure of Entebbe Regional Referral which was closed to enable the hospital to manage COVID-19 cases.
Leo Wanema, the Director of Skylight General Services Limited says that the changes have been approved. He says that construction will resume next week and is expected to be completed before the end of next month. Pending works include fixing the ceiling, tiles, door and windows.
Vincent DePaul Kayanja, the Entebbe Municipality Mayor, says works could have also stopped because the contractor delayed submitting payment requests to the municipal Council.
He however says the council has paid the contractor for the work that has so far been completed.
Stephen Kuwereka, the in-charge Katabi Health Centre III, says that the centre used to attend to an average of 400 outpatients a month. However, since last March, the numbers have increased to 1,300-1,500. This is despite the facility having only 11 health workers.
Kuwereka says completion of the OPD block will decongest the facility, adding that the current block will be used for only maternity services. He adds that the construction is part of the overall objective of upgrading it to a health centre IV soon.
The OPD block will have stores, laboratory, consultation and treatment rooms, two toilets and a waiting area near the reception.
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