Residents of Kitgum District are voicing strong complaints over the poor condition of the mortuary at Kitgum General Hospital, saying it has become uncomfortable for other patients.
Kitgum General Hospital mortuary was constructed in 1938 and is outdated, lacks a freezer for preserving dead bodies.
Community members say the mortuary’s lack of refrigeration makes bodies decompose rapidly, resulting in foul odors that spread across the hospital compound.
Grace Laker, a resident of Gandyang in Pandwong division, says the mortuary’s state has remained unchanged for decades, despite a growing population and increased demand for use.
Margaret Ayoo, a resident of Westland, requests the hospital leadership and other leaders to condiser the upgrade of the mortuary as a matter of priority.
Thomas Ojok, the senior hospital administrator admits the poor condition of the mortuary, and describes it as a only a room for keeping dead bodies temporarily.
Ojok notes that besides the dilapidated state, the mortuary is also poorly situated near a theatre, ART clinic and laboratory.
He says the hospital has limited resources, and thus has prioritized infrastructure such as theatre and maternity as well as accidents and emergency units before they can embark on constructing a modern mortuary.
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