The residents of Lira City were in cheers as Bank of Uganda (BoU) officially unveiled a new Outpatient Department (OPD) block at Ayago Health Center III located in Ayago East Cell, Ayago Ward, Lira City East Division.
The new health center has long been a cornerstone of community healthcare, serving the local population with dedication and care.
The Town Clerk, Vincent Okurut expressed satisfaction with the improvements in health services, commending Lira City for consistently being ranked among the best in the country in terms of healthcare delivery.
Lira City Mayor, Sam Atul, said that the developments in the city are the result of electing trustworthy and accountable leaders.
He noted that Lira City was ranked first nationally in health service delivery during the last financial year.
He encouraged residents, especially pregnant mothers, to use government health facilities to help leaders justify requests for additional support.
Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Lawrence Egole praised the Bank of Uganda for its generous sponsorship of the OPD block and urged local leaders to continue mobilizing citizens to embrace good health practices.
“We appreciate the bank’s contribution to improving healthcare services in our city,” Egole stated.
The Governor BoU, Michael Atingi-Ego acknowledged that inefficiencies, including absenteeism among healthcare workers, have led to significant financial losses, with an estimated half a trillion shillings lost due to preventable diseases like pneumonia.
“We aim to reduce the burden on regional referral hospitals and better manage patient turnout through facilities like this,” Atingi-Ego said.
Lango sub-region, known for its agricultural productivity, has previously struggled with inadequate healthcare services, particularly in Ayago. The newly upgraded OPD block is expected to play a key role in managing both communicable and non-communicable diseases, as well as responding to epidemics more effectively.
Local residents, like Acen, expressed their gratitude for the new facility. “This new OPD block will significantly benefit our community,” Acen said. “We are grateful to the Bank of Uganda for their support and generosity.”
Ayago Health Center III has been serving the community for over 10 years, beginning as a Health Center II.
The upgrade of Ayago Health Center III is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the government and stakeholders working together to improve healthcare services in Lira City.
As the city continues to prioritize healthcare, the new OPD block will play a critical role in alleviating the strain on regional referral hospitals and providing better, more efficient care to the local community.
