Masaka Regional Referral Hospital experienced a profound sense of sorrow and anguish as it struggled to save the lives of students injured in the recent Kasaana Primary School fire. Ten young pupils were admitted, but unfortunately, the hospital mourned the loss of two lives.
Following the school fire, the hospital’s emergency department was bustling with activity as medical professionals, including teams from the Red Cross, Uganda Police, and Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, labored tirelessly to rescue the young students.
The emergency department remained off-limits to non-staff members for more than ten hours, while outside, the victims’ families and relatives gathered, displaying their frustration and helplessness.
With the condition of the young victims worsening, the medical team decided to transfer them to Kiruddu Hospital in Kampala for specialized treatment.
Dr. Kato Kalazani from the Red Cross mentioned that while Masaka Regional Referral Hospital had skilled professionals for handling burn cases, the absence of a fully operational burns unit proved to be a significant constraint, tragically leading to loss of life.
Charles Tumusiime, the Hospital Administrator, pointed out an additional challenge, highlighting the unavailability of the two ambulances in the hospital’s parking yard to transport the victims to Kiruddu Hospital, where they required specialized care.
This tragic incident has deeply affected the community, highlighting the critical need for well-equipped medical facilities to manage such emergencies.
As the families of the young victims grapple with their losses, concerns are being raised about the readiness of healthcare infrastructure to handle such critical situations, emphasizing the necessity for improvements to avert similar tragedies in the future.
