The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) has launched the construction of a health centre block worth shs1.96 billion at Mbaraara Health Centre II in Mbaraara parish, Kitoba sub-county, Hoima district.

The project aims to improve maternal and healthcare services in the area.

Speaking during the commissioning, Guillaume Dulout, Managing Director of EACOP, said they decided to support the health sector since residents in Mbaraara trek about 20 kilometres to the nearest hospital seeking health services.

The long distance, Dulout said, is a major challenge, especially for expectant mothers.

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He noted that with the region’s growing population, expectant mothers should not have to travel long distances to access healthcare.

“EACOP has therefore partnered with Hoima District Local Government to support the health sector and improve healthcare in community health facilities,” he said.

Mbaraara health facility serves a population of over 10,000 from over eleven villages in the parish but also from other nearby border parishes.

Dulout requested Hoima District Local Government to upgrade Mbaraara Health Centre II to a Health Centre III, adding that Kaleeta Construction Ltd, which was contracted to build the facility, is expected to complete the construction within six months.

Kabagambe Kaliisa, the Presidential Adviser on Oil and Gas, said Bunyoro sub-region ranks last in the country in the number of expectant mothers who attend antenatal care, a challenge which he said might be addressed by having health facilities in place.

Dr Ibrahim Bwaga, the acting Senior Executive Consultant of Hoima Regional Referral Hospital (HRRH), who also represented the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Diana Atwine, directed the CAO of Hoima district to upgrade Mbaraara Health Centre II to Health Centre III to improve healthcare services.

Bwaga revealed that for about five years, they have observed mothers trekking long distances seeking delivery services at HRRH.

“For over four years, we have tried to fight the third delay among mothers arriving at health facilities late seeking delivery services and ending up dying on arrival,” he said.

This has always been caused by limited adjacent health facilities to offer immediate health services to our mothers, Bwaga revealed.

According to him, having Mbaraara Health Centre II improved will help extend a variety of health services closer to communities.

Dr Lawrence Tumusiime, the acting District Health Officer, also noted that challenges faced by women trekking long distances for maternity services and deliveries have led to a higher mortality rate.

Pius Wakabi, the Member of Parliament for Bugahya County, and Beatrice Wembabazi, the Woman MP for Hoima district, pledged to continue lobbying for better services for the people of Hoima district.

Uthman Mugisa Mubarak, the LC5 chairperson, said upgrading Mbaraara Health Centre II will lead to improved healthcare services for the community.

Ssetimbi Bosco from Kaleeta Construction Limited noted that the commissioned structure, whose construction commenced in March, is already 50 percent of its completion.

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EACOP also offered free mother kits to mothers undergoing maternity care at the facility ahead of their deliveries.

Oliver, one of the beneficiaries, appreciated EACOP for “a wonderful initiative of extending better health facilities at their doorways.”