Proposed Okwata Hospital in Teso South that was to serve residents, but after the construction was completed in 2010, the structure has remained idle. [Ignatius Odanga]
Residents of Okwata in Teso South constituency will have to wait longer before they can benefit from a health centre built nine years ago.
On Sunday, locals protested delays in opening the facility, which was constructed by the defunct local authority, saying they had been forced to seek medical services in Lukolis, which is five kilometres away.
“The place is so bushy and it has become a haven for criminals yet county officials have kept on telling us that it will open the health centre,” said John Ekombe.
Speaking separately to The Standard, Amukura West MCA Abiud Ochilangole and Health Chief Officer Isaac Omeri confirmed that the facility will be opened in the next financial year.
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“I agree that it has taken long to make the health centre functional but that will finally happen in the next financial year. We have set aside Sh2.3 million to renovate the centre, build a fence and buy medical equipment," said Mr Ochilangole
Mr Omeri said they had talked to the ward rep and asked him to ensure that funds were set aside to revive the health facility.
