Gulu regional referral hospital faced an unexpected and aquatic twist in its operations when a heavy downpour caused flooding in the medical ward, turning it into a makeshift indoor swimming pool.
The newly built multi-billion maternity ward next door decided to invite its rainy neighbor for a friendly visit, and the flood water eagerly obliged. As hospital officials grappled with the situation, patients and caretakers found themselves in the middle of an unintended water park adventure.
Videos of caretakers trying to bail out water from the flooded wards became an overnight sensation on social media. The hospital’s unexpected water-based activities garnered more attention than the latest viral cat video, leaving many concerned about the institution’s infrastructure management.
According to Christine Arach Omona, one of the patient’s caretakers, this aquatic escapade wasn’t a one-day wonder. The hospital had a preview of its swimming endeavors the day before when light rainfall triggered a minor flood.
However, Sunday’s heavy downpour turned it into a full-fledged water world, forcing the caretakers to pool their resources and pay men to handle the waterworks.
While the patients and caretakers try to navigate their way through the hospital’s impromptu water sports, medical services have come to an unexpected standstill. The hospital’s administration is now on a mission to ensure that next time they host such an event, it’s one they’ve prepared for in advance.
The principal hospital administrator, Walter Oriekwun, pointed the blame at the poor drainage system, which apparently struggles to handle even the slightest drizzle, let alone a torrential downpour. As hospital officials gear up for the “Drainage Olympics,” they’ve instructed the maintenance personnel to tighten the ship—oops, I meant drainage system—so that this unplanned swimming gala doesn’t repeat itself.
In an attempt to make lemonade out of lemons, the hospital management has also taken up renovation as a new hobby. One section of the medical ward, which seems to have caught a recurrent case of flooding fever, is now under renovation. A generous budget of Shs 12 million was allocated for the project, which is reaching its conclusion just as the hospital staff masters the art of floating bedside manner. They say every cloud has a silver lining; in this case, it’s the ward’s shiny, newly refurbished section.
