By Federick Dramadri

Terego district council has approved the upgrade of 12 health facilities as the district strives to improve quality of health services.
Priority has been given to the upgrade of Omugo health center IV to a district hospital and Wandi health centre III to a health center IV status.
Other facilities which have been approved for upgrade to Health IIIs are; Micu and Tuku HCII in Bileafe Sub county, Itia in Katrini, Kumuyo, Ogua, and Burua HCII all in Aii-ivu Sub county, Obofia HCII in Leju Town Council, Ndapi HCII in Omugo Sub county, Imvepi HCII in Odupi sub county and Andelizu HCII in Uriama Sub county.
The district vice chairperson Sunday Ayikoru who doubles as the leader of government business and the secretary community services while presenting the list of the facilities for upgrade before the council says this is in line with the guiding principles.
"This is based on the policy that for every 500,000 people, a hospital is needed. And yes this will reduce the frequent referrals to Arua with associated costs that Terego has been incurring", Ayikoru said.
Terego district current has a population of 402,020 people, with 177,661 refugees and 233,000 host population.
Augustine Vuni the LC3 chairperson of Odupi Sub County says most of the health facilities in Terego district are overwhelmed with patients due to limited support from the central government coupled with the influx of the refugees.
‘’I personally went to some of these health units especially the health centre two I realized that some of these facilities listed here are not operating at their level due to the population they serve and the biggest challenge is that they are poorly facilitated’’, he said.

Councilors speak out
A number of councilors are calling for the establishment of a district hospital at Leji town council due to its central location and the availability of land.
"Issues to do with shortage of land may crop in. If we recall very well we had a similar issue in Arua hospital where there was a complaint about lagoon which emerged due to poor planning. But we have enough land here in Leju town council for the establishment of a central hospital and I wish we could make use of some these areas here", she said.
However a section of the district councilors say this is unnecessary as this will lead to unwarranted expenditures given that Omugo Health Center IV already has established structures.


COVER PHOTO: Sign post illustrating Terego district headquarters.