BRRH marks milestone with life-saving oxygen plant
BUKOBA: THE Bukoba Regional Referral Hospital (BRRH) has marked a significant step in improving patient care with the installation of a life-saving oxygen plant.
The hospital’s Medical Officer in Charge, Dr Museleta Nyakiroto said that since last month, the facility has been producing about 20 oxygen cylinders daily, each weighing 50 kilogrammes.
“In the past, we depended on between seven and ten oxygen cylinders, which were often insufficient as we had to order supplies from Bugando Zonal Referral Hospital in Mwanza,” he said.
He described the installation of the oxygen plant as a major milestone in strengthening healthcare delivery at the facility.
“The government has made significant progress in healthcare, including improving the availability of medicines and advanced diagnostic equipment. Oxygen is critical in saving lives, and this plant marks a major step forward in patient care,” Dr Nyakiroto said.
He also expressed gratitude to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for allocating substantial funds that have enabled the hospital to expand specialised services.
“On behalf of Kagera residents, I thank the President for the support, which has improved access to medicines and modern medical equipment. This initiative has already saved many lives, including those of children. Strengthening healthcare capacity at all levels remains crucial,” he said.
Dr Nyakiroto further highlighted key achievements at the hospital, including the introduction of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) for premature babies.
“Before the establishment of the Neonatal Intensive Unit (NIU), about 480 babies were admitted annually. That number has since increased to 779.
Admissions of premature babies have risen from 167 to 237 per year, while mortality rates have dropped significantly from 30 per cent to five per cent as of December 30, 2024,” he said.
The hospital has also recently acquired a CT scan machine, significantly enhancing diagnostic services.
In addition, the government deployed 288 health workers to the region between June and December last year, bringing the total number of health personnel under the Ministry of Health in Kagera Region to 2,661.
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Dr Nyakiroto said the number of specialist doctors at BRRH has now reached 13, while the region has a total of 351 health facilities.
He also commended government plans to construct a specialised hospital for disease outbreaks and a central diagnostic centre in the region, citing Kagera’s proximity to countries prone to frequent outbreaks.
Bukoba Regional Referral Hospital, established in 1923, has a bed capacity of 308 and attends to an average of 560 outpatients and 160 inpatients daily.
It serves as a key referral facility for 336 health institutions in the region, including 17 hospitals, 38 health centres and 281 dispensaries.
Kagera Region, which borders Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Kenya across Lake Victoria, has experienced frequent outbreaks of contagious diseases, including Ebola, Marburg, Covid-19 and cholera, resulting in loss of lives.
