Butabika mental hospital is struggling with a big number of patients that it can handle, the TowerPost has learnt.
According to the executive director of the facility, the hospital is registering an increasing number of patients that are reporting for services. “When you look at bed occupancy; because we have been having an average between 800 and 850 patients at any one time. But currently, we’re registering between 900 and 950 patients admitted at any one time – which is an increase compared to where were in September and October last year. We’re now currently seeing now between 150 and 250 patients every day,”

Basangwa says one of the reasons contributing to the increase in numbers at the facility is the increasing abuse of drugs.

He says there is a need for more funding to accommodate the big number of patients. “We will need additional funding when the budget is finalized because the government is the sole financier for mental health care since the area hasn’t attracted donor funding.”

The facility, he says, has budgeted to spend Shs 27 billion next year financial year.