Access to medical care at Arua Main Prison Health Center III is now being hampered by the increased security measures at Arua Main Prison.

The Arua Main Prison Health Center III has long offered vital medical services, having been established as a public health center to assist both prisoners and the local population soon after Arua Main Prison was built in 1930.

However, regular security measures, a lack of public knowledge of the facility’s existence, and other circumstances have led to the public’s underutilization of it.

Authorities implemented stricter security measures throughout the prison grounds in response to growing concerns about smuggling and disturbances. These included heightened patrols, stringent limitations on movement, and thorough security inspections at every point of entry.

Although these precautions were taken to keep the staff and prisoners safe, they unintentionally interfered with the health center’s regular operations because they are housed in the same property.

According to conversations with medical staff at Arua Main Prison Health Center III, the facility is completely functional, stocked with enough medications, and outfitted with diagnostic equipment for conditions like diabetes, HIV, TB, malaria, ulcers, and more. The usage is still low in spite of this.

According to Sharon Munduru, who at the time of writing brought her child with a fever, cough, and illness, the facility’s services are quick and easy to access, and the medical staff is friendly and accommodating to patients.

Because we live close to prisons, Munduru explained, “you find a lot of people at Police Health Center III. For us, we just come here and it’s just a matter of carrying your national ID to enter from the gate. Their services are very fast, easy, and you can’t go without having your medication.”

Records from the facility reveal that, on average, about 700 patients with various illnesses are registered weekly. Of these, approximately 100 patients come from outside the prison community this is primarily due to fears related to data collection and security checks conducted by security personnel.

The most common ailments seen at the outpatient department include respiratory tract infections, peptic ulcers, tuberculosis, malaria, and diabetes.

Hellen Dejang, Enrolled Nurse at the facility they conduct variety of services including immunization campaigns, Nutritional assessments, General body checkups Antenatal Serveries though they don’t conduct deliveries due to inadequate space, other services including Family planning and Reproductive Health services, Maternal Child Health services and emergency care.

The facility receives supplies from National Medical Stores, Joint Medical Stores and equally from General stores of Uganda Prisons Services in Luzira. It has variety of equipments in the laboratory including the Gene expert Machines, SD4 count Machines, Microscopes, Diabetes Machine, Afino Machine with exception of the CBC-Complete Blood Count Machine and Chemical Analysis Machine whose services are sort from either Oli Health Center III or Arua Regional Referral Hospital.

SP Herbert Muhangi, the Officer in Charge of Arua Main Prison, stated that the security protocols are designed to maintain order and safety, given that the health facility is situated within a secure installation.

“The nature of the Health Facility is situated under a Security institution, so perhaps you have to adhere to the security protocols that are in place, we only require proper identification,, and we register you, usher you in, and serve you. The challenge we have is when you ask some people about their national Identity Cards for identification, they don’t just turn away any other identification, so we get challenged on how to really manage security and this person who is a stranger. If the general public could carry any form of identification, we are good to go.” Muhangi said

The facility is staffed by 16 personnel and primarily serves the catchment areas of Kenya and Awindiri Wards in Arua City.