The facility is now deteriorating and thieves stole some fittings.

Currently, patient guardians put up in a small room with poor toilets, poor bathrooms and no windowpanes.

One of the guardians, Ethel Mizimu from Kwanjana village, Inkosi Bvumbwe, told Zodiak Online on Monday that the situation causes discomfort to people looking after their sick relations.

Mizimu called on the authorities to open the shelter, adding that the current one poses a security risk to them.

However, the District Director of Health and Social Services Dr. Arnold Jumbe said the government, through the presidential advisor on safe motherhood, resolved the payment issue with the contractor.

He assured that it will be renovated and be opened for use.

Dr. Jumbe added that the government has allocated a substantial amount of money to cater for the renovation of the shelter in the 2024/2025 fiscal year under the infrastructure maintenance budget.

"Government has provided funds for an infrastructure maintenance budget in the 2024/2025 financial year and Bvumbwe has been allocated a substantial amount to cater for the renovation of the shelter," he said.

On average, about 15 to 20 guardians put up in the current shelter at the hospital.