The Government has been urged to provide more specialised services at lower health centres.
Doctors and members of the Rotary Club of Mbarara say the move will reduce the number of patients at regional referral hospitals in the country.
This call was made during a Rotary medical camp at Sanga Health centre III in Kiruhura district over the weekend where over 500 people received treatment for various illnesses.
Dr. Elias Kumbakumba, the head of paediatric department at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, who is also a Rotary Club member, said the big turn-up of patients was an indication that the biggest population in local communities are not satisfied with the quality and type of services offered at lower health facilities.
According to him, services for dental, eye, and cervical cancer screening in women and diabetes and blood pressure check-ups are not offered at lower health facilities hence the need for the Government to extend these specialised services to communities to avert the crisis at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.
Godfrey Kwikiriza, a member of the Rotary Club of Mbarara who was heading the medical camp, said before the medical camp, they assessed to ascertain the very services that are needed by the residents, especially those that are not offered a level of health centre III.
Hajji Muhamud Rwakiseta, one of the people who received treatment, told our reporter that the medical camp has helped many people to get services that are not offered at their health facility.
