Pregnant women in Nkanga Sub-county, Bushenyi District, risk giving birth along the way to health facilities in neighbouring areas as the absence of a Health Centre III forces residents to travel long distances for medical care, local leaders have warned.

Barbra Nimwesiga, the Nkanga Sub-county woman councillor, said some pregnant women have reportedly gone into labour while travelling to seek medical attention, highlighting the need for a health facility closer to their communities.

The concern was raised during a community Baraza organised by the Bushenyi District leadership, where local leaders appealed for support to establish a Health Centre III in the sub-county.

However, the plan faces a shortage of land. Sanyu Phiona, the Bushenyi District Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), said the Ministry of Health had asked the district to identify land for the facility, but an assessment found that the available land was inadequate.

According to Sanyu, a Health Centre III requires at least three acres, while Nkanga Sub-county has only 1.5 acres, which are already occupied by the sub-county headquarters and a police facility.

Tukamwesiga Juvinar, the district councillor representing Nkanga Sub-county, said residents continue to travel to neighbouring Ryeishe and Ibaare sub-counties to access healthcare because their area lacks a facility at the required level.

Nkanga Sub-county LCIII Chairperson Zaverio Mpambiro appealed to the government to help the area acquire additional land to pave the way for construction.

Bushenyi Resident District Commissioner Emmy Ngabirano urged sub-county leaders to organise a fundraising campaign to raise money for purchasing the land needed to meet the three-acre requirement.

The proposed facility is expected to bring essential health services closer to residents and reduce the burden of travelling long distances for treatment.

Under the government’s health service delivery policy, each sub-county is expected to have a Health Centre III to provide essential outpatient care, maternity services and other basic medical services.