Power Fault Shuts Soroti Hospital Theatre, 46 Mothers Relocated for C-Sections

Health authorities said the problem began on Sunday after the hospital’s theatre developed an electrical fault blamed on the facility’s aging power system.

Under the temporary arrangement, expectant mothers are taken to Princess Diana Health Centre IV for surgery and later returned to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital for recovery and post-operative care.

Soroti City Health Officer Dr Alfred Anyonga confirmed the arrangement on Friday, explaining that Princess Diana Health Centre IV lacks enough space to keep mothers for long-term recovery.

He noted that after surgery, patients are stabilized and then transported back to the referral hospital because the lower health facility has limited capacity for post-operative care.

Officials revealed that only 15 beds are available at Princess Diana Health Centre IV for mothers requiring close monitoring after surgery, forcing quick transfers or discharges within a day.

Sr Mary Margaret Ajiko, a consultant surgeon at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, said the hospital is spending additional resources on ambulance transport to move patients, medical staff, and surgical equipment between the two facilities.

She explained that the electrical breakdown is linked to outdated wiring systems installed decades ago and called for government support to construct a modern theatre block.

According to hospital management, repair works are already underway to restore the theatre and resume normal operations.

The emergency arrangement has also placed extra pressure on families. Some attendants said they had to find alternative transport after ambulances became overwhelmed with patient transfers.

One caregiver, Ms Ruth Acen, said they hired a boda boda to reach Princess Diana Health Centre IV because the ambulance had already transported other mothers.

Several mothers were seen returning to the referral hospital weak and in pain after surgery, slowly walking into the wards for further treatment and observation.

Ms Sarah Asekenye, 30, who underwent a C-section less than a day earlier, said she had been referred back to the hospital for continued care.

Another patient, Ms Auma, described movement after surgery as painful but unavoidable.

Despite the disruption, hospital officials maintained that emergency maternity services are still running, though the situation has strained transport services, staffing, and available resources.