Varese clinic building in deteriorating state, needs urgent action from responsible authorities
By Alfred Pagepitu
The Varese Nurse Aid Post Clinic building is now in a deteriorating state that calls for urgent attention.
Despite the efforts put forth by the medical health workers there, the deteriorating condition of health infrastructure is going from bad to worse.
A community member, Plimsol Itu said the building really needs to be upgraded to better accommodate patients and store medical equipment effectively.
In its current state, the building lacks toilet and shower facilities including privacy space for those in labour.
Current roof of the building | photo supplied
“Our Aid Post clinic is currently run down and needs quality facilities to treat patients on a regular basis.
“There is only one water tank that supplies the clinic, but it is not safe to use since the roofing iron is rusted and poses a health risk,” he added.
“We have one registered nurse there who serves the patients with limited medical drugs that cannot cater to the community living there. Most nights, it is difficult for medical staff to attend to the patients without proper electricity, like solar, in emergency cases.
“This has been going on for years, and the house without proper medical supplies is very risky in terms of providing services,” he said.
Itu said that there are Members of Parliament, donors, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, but they do not know how well these issues can be solved.
Inside the clinic building | photo supplied
The community is holding fundraising events to raise funds to rebuild the clinic.
“Currently, the community is struggling on their own to build at least a proper health facility or looking for donor support that we always neglect while seeing some clinics in the country being redeveloped that we hope our community can be like some communities and provinces as well.
“We are now trying to find ways and push hard to raise money on our own to build a clinic. Since the current deterioration, we are now traveling by boat to Gizo or Vonunu clinic for emergencies or have to walk a far distance to reach the clinic and seek medical services.
“We have committees in our village, but now they are trying to reorganize and rescue somewhere,” the concerned community member said.
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