Kisiizi Hospital Floods, Patients Stranded, Drugs Washed

Four oxygen concentrators, pulse oximeters, washing machines, cotton rolls and other hospital equipment were completely destroyed by floods. “The floods came with a lot of mud and it submerged the hospital, most of the wards were submerged.” The Hydropower turbines and hospital standby generator were submerged leading to a power blackout and the death of two premature babies which were being monitored in incubators. “Because of lack of power, we couldn’t run oxygen, some patients who were on oxygen were affected.” The condition of many of the patients was in a precarious state as those with infectious diseases like TB were sharing the same ward. Health workers at the hospital were currently working to clean up the affected hospital wards and drainage system. Alex Kakama the hospital human resource coordinator said there was need to create a big drainage channel and appealed to the government to help replace the damaged equipment. “The floods destroyed our plumbing systems so the water supply to the hospital was cut off. We are now trying to restore the water system, we need help, and maybe the government can come in to help the hospital.” The hospital receives more than 500 patients each day and carries out 120 deliveries per month. It was founded by Anglican Missionaries in 1958 and also serves as a training center for nurses, midwives, and doctors.