Otuke district is looking for another contractor to complete the stalled maternity ward at Ogwete Health Center- HCIII.
In 2019, the Health Ministry upgraded the facility from Health Center II to HCIII status. The district then contracted Otada contraction company Ltd to construct a maternity ward, placenta pit and latrine stances at the facility at Shillings 500 million.
However, the contractor has since abandoned the site after roofing and plastering the structure. Peter Okweda, the area LC III Chairperson explains that they have reported the matter to the District authorities and action is being taken.
Dr. Robert Oremo, the Otuke District Health Officer confirmed the incident, saying the district is in the process of contracting another company to continue from where Otada stopped.
However, Oswald Owankunzire, the Engineer of Otada Construction Company, says that they were forced to abandoned work due to nonpayment.
The development hasn’t gone well with some community members, saying the contractor should be blacklisted. Peter Okello, a resident of Ogwete Sub County expressed his disappointment over the matter, saying women are still struggling to move long distances to access maternal services.
Brenda Akao, a client of Ogwete Health Center III, says that have been experiencing challenges to access immunization services at the facility due to lack of facilities for the mothers.
Ogwete HCIII serves the entire community of Ogwete sub-county and some people from the neighbouring districts of Napak, Amuria and Abim. It attends to over 20 mothers seeking maternal services monthly.
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