The Ministry of Health (MoH) is working to improve healthcare access for refugees and host communities in Nakivale with the ongoing construction of new Health Center IVs in Kabazana and Ruhoko.

These new facilities are part of a broader initiative to enhance the health system in Isingiro District, particularly in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement, which is home to over 170,000 refugees.

During an inspection visit today, June 5, 2025, at Rwekubo Health Center IV, Dr Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, revealed the progress of the construction projects.

She noted that an isolation unit is also being built as part of efforts to strengthen the district’s ability to respond to epidemics and other health crises.

“While progress is visible, gross delays by some contractors are affecting timely delivery,” Dr Atwine stated.

Nakivale Refugee Settlement hosts refugees from several countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Somalia, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, with Congolese refugees making up the largest portion.

However, despite the settlement’s size and longstanding presence, challenges such as land shortages, environmental degradation, and limited infrastructure persist.

The district is actively working on improving planning, resource management, and integration with local communities to overcome these obstacles.

Dr Atwine officiated a Town Hall meeting focused on increasing uptake of routine immunization services and the new malaria vaccine.

The meeting, attended by religious, cultural, and district leaders from Ankole and Kigezi regions, highlighted the importance of collaboration to strengthen health service delivery across these regions.