Laboratory goes 12yrs without lab technician

Singida. Some residents of Dung’unyi Ward in Ikungi District, Singida Region, are forced to walk 10 to 18 kilometres to seek medical laboratory services at Makiungu Mission Hospital located at Mungaa Division.

Dung’unyi ward dispensary laboratory unit has not been in use for the past 12 years for lack of an technician to operate it.

The the medical officer-incharge, Dr Gabriel Pyuza, revealed to The Citizen on Sunday, and said for a long time, there hasn’t been a laboratory technician or a room assigned for laboratory services.

However, Dr Pyuza explained that the ward development committee was already aware of the problem as it had ordered every village to contribute 600 blocks so that the construction of the laboratory unit could start.

Dr Pyuza added that brick-making would start in May this year when the rains stop.

“Apart from brick-making, we have planned to construct two resting rooms for expectant mothers, new mothers and patients who need special care,” he said.

For his part, Ikungi District Council director, Mr Mohammed Nkya, acknowledged that there is a problem, namely, lack of a laboratory and laboratory technicians.

However, Mr Nkya noted that already, the council has received three laboratory technicians who have, however, not reported for they are said to be waiting for further instructions.