Soroti Regional Referral Hospital has reopened its main operating theatre after months of closure caused by an electrical fault, but hospital officials say the ageing facility remains unable to meet the growing demand for surgical services.
The theatre resumed operations after repairs to its electrical system, which had forced the hospital in May to transfer major surgeries to Princess Diana Health Centre IV and Atirir Health Centre IV over safety concerns.
Despite the reopening, the hospital continues to struggle with a growing surgical backlog because it operates with only two operating beds that serve all surgical specialties and emergency obstetric cases.
Hospital Director Dr. Benedicto Watmon says the limited capacity means many patients continue waiting for surgery.
Watmon explains that the hospital’s 17 specialists rely on the same theatre, forcing surgeons to suspend scheduled operations whenever emergency Caesarean sections or other obstetric procedures arise.
To ease congestion, the hospital plans to convert a procedure room in the maternity block into a dedicated emergency operating theatre for mothers.
By URN
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