. Murem Island Urges Government to Establish Maternity Ward Urgently

By Nasuru Hassan Ocen

Residents of Murem Island in Okile Sub-county, Kaberamaido District, have raised urgent concerns about inadequate health services at Murem Health Centre II, specifically highlighting the absence of a maternity ward as a critical challenge affecting maternal and child health.

During a recent meeting with Ochero County MP Hon. Julius Peter Emigu, locals expressed frustration that expectant mothers must deliver in a shared ward due to the lack of a dedicated maternity wing.

Alphonse Opodo, speaking on behalf of the community, described the situation as dire, calling for immediate government intervention.

“The women in our community are delivering in an open ward shared with other patients because there is no maternity wing. This endangers both mothers and babies,” Opodo said.

He added that since 2020, rising Lake Kyoga waters destroyed the main road linking Okile Sub-county to Murem Island, forcing residents to rely on water transport to access health services and complicating emergency responses.

Opodo noted that the island’s inaccessibility has hampered government efforts to improve the health centre’s infrastructure, compelling staff to improvise in constrained spaces.

MP Emigu, on a monitoring visit, acknowledged these challenges and urged the community to formally document their concerns through local leaders for higher-level advocacy.

“I encourage you to present your complaints through proper channels so we can push for government intervention,” Emigu said.

During the visit, the MP donated 100 plastic chairs and two large tents, valued at Shs10 million, to support community events and health outreach programs.

Elijah Emaku, FDC Chairperson for Kaberamaido District, urged residents to vote for FDC candidates in 2026, suggesting new leadership could address the long-standing challenges of remote communities like Murem Island.

Murem Health Centre II struggles with staff shortages, poor infrastructure, and limited supplies. The lack of a maternity ward compounds fears over rising maternal and neonatal mortality.

Anonymous health workers confirmed difficulties in providing maternal care, often referring complicated cases to distant facilities—an expensive and risky option for patients.

As Lake Kyoga’s environmental challenges persist, local leaders call on the Ministry of Health and government agencies to prioritize constructing a maternity wing and improving transport infrastructure.

The community hopes that with MP Emigu and other leaders raising their voices, decisive government action will follow.