By Mike Rwothomio
The recent tragic demise of the then Zombo Resident District Commissioner Rt. Lt Col Pius Alitema was pretty hard to take. Up now, Many people in Zombo still can’t live up to the fact that the once calm, intelligent personable Man has gone to be with the lord.
Alitema’s death announcement was made on the 8th of March, which left hundreds reeling in total shock. He was pronounced dead on the way when he was being rushed to Arua Regional Referral Hospital.
It’s worth noting that Alitema’s death left an abyss which will be felt for a long by the Zombo Community given his expertise and skills in resolving the rampant land disputes, and territorial boundaries amongst others.
His death was pegged to a poor road network and a lack of a robust health Facility that could manage his complications.
It’s against that backdrop that the deceased Family have taken it upon themself to construct a robust well-functioning community hospital in Zombo, to serve the rural population. The Community Hospital shall provide services to the community free of charge according to the family members.
The children of the deceased were amazed with the reception they received from the people of Zombo when their father’s body was being transferred from Nebbi to Zombo Town Council. Hundreds stood by the roadside to pay their last respect to The RDC which many referred to as a man of the people.
During a requiem mass at Zumbo Upper Playground in Zombo Town organized for the final send-off of RDC Pius Alitema in March this year, One of her daughters Sharon Alitema said “We shall ensure that the functional Community hospital is constructed for the people of Zombo which will be free of charge. We call upon you the people of Zombo and the district leadership to support the initiative and allocate for us land where it will be constructed”.
One of the deceased daughters handed over cash of Ugx 5 million to support the project. The money was handed to the Parish Priest of St Dominic Catholic church Zombo.
The family then called upon Zombo leaders to offer the much-needed support towards the project further tasking them to open a bank account for funds collection and mobilization.
It’s unclear wether the bank account has been opened in support of the project.
Population
The Border District of Zombo has a population of about 294,000. The district has one Church Founded Nyapea Hospital, 1 Health Center IV, 9 Health Center IIIs ( 3 private ), and 8 Health Center IIs, ( 2 private).
People of Zombo suffer In case of health complication that needs referral to Arua Regional Referral Hospital.
Zombo District lacks Servicing Rural Communities
Medical care and citizens in isolated areas have less access to the proper facilities in case of emergency. Considering how much of the rural population is made up of senior citizens, it’s pretty clear how necessary it is to have the right facilities in remote areas.
There is optimism that the Community Hospital will provide a wide range of healthcare that amongst others will include emergency care and provide vital services for those living with long-term illnesses.
Rose Alitema, a wife to the deceased reveals that over 200 million retirement packages of the deceased will be channelled towards the hospital construction, giving a strong financial base for the commencement of the project.
What Zombo leaders are saying
Songa Biyika Lawrence, The MP for Ora Constituency Commended the family of the fallen RDC for their generous gesture, pledging his maximum support towards the project.
” The family of the late RDC have shown for us their generosity. We need to support the initiative with all our strength. I have started offering my support by contributing Ugx 2 million cash ” Songa told journalists from Zombo Press Association recently.
Similarly, Okumu Gabriel, The MP for Okoro constituency offered Ugx 5 million cash towards the construction of the facility. He said the project should be supported across the board calling upon Government to consider constructing a hospital for the people of Zombo.
Grace Freedom Kwiocwiny, The former state Minister of Northern Uganda, now a senior Presidential Advisor had pledged some pieces of iron sheets for the community Hospital and called for a collaboration across political and religious divide for the construction of the hospital.
The overwhelming population of Zombo and eastern DR Congo always put public health facilities at the forefront of grave shortcomings.
Zombo health facilities most of which are along the Uganda DR Congo border handle sudden influx of patients and In many cases, not enough beds, personnel, and drugs amongst others can lead to loss of lives.
The District leadership through the social services Committee has recommended that a concept note be developed by the District health department for the proposed community hospital construction.
The chairperson social services Committee Zombo Sadiki Onencan in a recent council sitting at the district headquarters said ” on the proposed community hospital by the family of the late RDC, We recommend that the concept note be developed by The District Health Officer to give Technical guidance so that everything is done in line with the health Ministry’s guidelines”.
