Health authorities at Dzaleka have attributed shortage of medical personnel, inadequate drug supplies, and rapid population growth as major challenges affecting service delivery at Dzaleka Health Centre.

The concerns were raised on Tuesday during a familiarisation visit by a United States-based organisation, Care Learning, at the refugee camp.

Briefing the delegation at the health facility, Officer In-Charge Henry Lali said frequent transfers of health workers by government from one public health facility to another continue to disrupt operations at the centre and negatively affect healthcare delivery.

“Most of the trained personnel we receive do not stay long because after gaining experience they are transferred to other facilities, and this leaves gaps in service delivery,” said Lali.

Lali said newly recruited health workers from colleges and universities are often deployed to Dzaleka Health Centre for orientation and experience, but are later transferred to other facilities once they gain adequate training.

He further said continued influx of asylum seekers into the camp has placed enormous pressure on the facility, resulting in overwhelming conditions despite efforts by staff to provide services to both refugees and surrounding communities within its catchment area.

“Our population continues to grow every day, but the resources and workforce remain the same, making it difficult for us to meet the increasing demand for healthcare services,” he added.

Lali has since appealed to government, donors, well-wishers and other stakeholders to consider including Dzaleka Health Centre in their financial and material support plans to improve healthcare services at the camp.