The construction of Barlonyo Health Center III in Agweng sub-county Lira District has finally kicked off in fulfillment of a presidential pledge made 18 years ago.
In 2004, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni while presiding over the mass burial of the victims massacred by the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) at Barlonyo IDP Camp, pledged to build a primary school, vocational institute, health center, and bridge to be named after him connecting Lira to Otuke, Pader and Abim districts.
Although the bridge and a vocational institute have been constructed, the primary school and health center are still pending. The government has now released 1.8 billion Shillings to the Lira district Local government to construct the health facility. Alliance Technical Services has taken over the eight months contract.
Currently, residents of Barlonyo and its surrounding areas trek for almost 10 kilometers to Ogur Health Centre IV in the quest for medical services. Linda Agnes Auma, the Lira Woman Member of parliament attributed the delayed construction works to the lack of funds. She has, however, applauded the community for eventually giving out land to host the facility and tasked them to offer the necessary support to the Contractor so that the work can be completed within the stipulated time.
Josephine Ajok, a resident of Bargweng village Adowa Parish in Ogur Sub-county, says that the construction of Barlonyo HCIII will relieve her the burden of walking long distances to Ogur HCIV or raising money for paying Boda- boda riders who currently charge exorbitant fees due to the high fuel prices.
Ambrose Ojok, a resident of Aweamone village, says that accessing medical services has been a great challenge because government health centers are far away and every time they go, they are told there are no medical supplies. He is optimistic that the new health facility will solve this challenge.
Scovia Adongo, a resident of Barlonyo trading center is optimistic that upon completion, expectant mothers will be able to deliver safely unlike in the past when mothers used to deliver at the roadside or with the help of traditional birth attendants. She appealed to the government to consider giving the health center an ambulance to help in cases of emergencies.
Moses Senomugirizi, an engineer with Alliance Technical Services commits to delivering quality work with support from the community.U
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