GULU – Gulu Regional Referral Hospital has secured a World Bank funding of $5.3 million; approximately Shs 19 billion for the construction of a modern regional incinerator for Northern Uganda.
Dr. Elima James, the hospital Director disclosed on Tuesday in an interview with theCooperator that the multibillion project was secured through Ministry of Health.
Elima said the new development will address the challenges different health facilities and hospitals across the region were facing in waste management and disposal.
However, with the only national incinerator established in Nakasongola district, the different health facilities across the region struggle to transport their wastes for disposal at the national centre.
A 5 hectares piece of land has been identified at Angaya Health Centre III, about 11 kilometres from Gulu Regional Referral Hospital along Gulu-Kitgum Road.
According to Elima, this new development will include the construction of staff houses for the health workers at Angaya health facility and a training institute for waste management and disposal.
Otim Onegiu James, the Acting Senior Hospital Administrator however noted that the hospital has written to the Ministry of Health about the availability of land for the project.
He described the development as a big relief for environmental health which he says is prone to hazards from poor medical waste management and disposal.
He says that some of the facilities are disposing off their waste in the corridors and public places, a situation he described as worrying for both human and environmental health.
Otim however revealed that the Ministry is yet to conclude the procurement and avail the architectural design for the construction before the work commences in the next few months.
Opio Ateker Christopher, the district Chairman commended the community for offering free land for this development.
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Equally, like any other health facilities, Gulu Regional Referral Hospital also battles with poor medical waste disposal.
Their facility is established in between the Out Patient Department (OPD), the Psychiatrist Ward and the Eye Department which are at times infiltrated with irritating smell and fumes whenever the wastes are burnt.
Last year in November, there was panic when a dog stole a leg amputated from the hospital and dropped it in one of the homes neighboring the hospital.
Anywar Desmond, an independent environmentalist from Kitgum district described the exposure to the medical wastes as harmful to human health which he says may lead to cancer and heart diseases.
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