NATIONAL
Mbarara City authorities have called upon government to expedite the process of upgrading Mbarara regional referrals hospital to a national referral hospital status.
‘‘Mbarara Hospital did the unthinkable to separate conjoined twins. There are a lot of services they offer amidst limited resources. It should be made a national referral hospital and others can follow”, said Mbarara City Woman MP Rita Atukwasa.
This was during the Mbarara hospital Staff Annual Party that was held at Ekhaya Hotel in Rwebikona, the out skirts of Mbarara City on Friday.
Dr Celestine Barigye, the hospital managing Director says that once government heeds to their call of upgrading the hospital to a national referral status, it will be a magic bullet to various hardships which among others include drug shortages.
“We have established that the western Ugandas biggest health facility continues to grapple with issues of inadequate drugs and sundries supplied by National Medical Stores every after two months.” Dr Barigye confirms
He says; “Ideally, if Mbarara is made a national referral it’s budget will reasonably increase something that comes with many advantages such as increase in the drug supply , workforce of to match up the galloping population. In fact , many critiques have wondered why the Hospital that scooped 2022 Public Services Award has continued to lag behind in terms of infrastructure yet it was in the president’s plan to make it a national referral hospital.”
Dr Barigye who has been at the helm of transforming the facility that has been in existence since 1930s admitted that at times some patients dig in their pockets to access drugs and sundries which normally get out of stock.
However, he was quick to clarify that this shouldn’t be blamed on the hospital as reports from Central Pharmacy Unit suggest that more often than not, National Medical Stores delay to supply the Hospital which looks over 500 patients on a daily basis.
In an exclusive interview with Halson Kagure the Mbarara Referral Hospital Public Relations Officer argues that the hospital is unique in such way that it handles numerous referral cases of which many come from region referral hospitals where they should be handled.
Kagure reasons that by revamping the hospital will offload the burden bore by other national referral hospitals and Specialized hospitals many of which are situated in Uganda’s Capital Kampala.
Its should be recalled that President Museveni started Mbarara University of Science and Technology over 34 years ago with the purpose of churning out specialists to bolster Mbarara Referral Hospital .
At the commissioning of the storied building that houses Accident and Emergency Department, Private Wing, Radiology Department, Dental, biomedical engineering and administration at the hospital about 10 years ago, President Museveni pledged to make Mbarara hospital a national referral hospital a pledge that local authorities and hospital administration request to be fulfilled.
Dr Barigye says that despite the hospital’s reputation after its team of about 13 health workers led by Dr Deus Twesigye separated conjoined twins early last year, Mbarara referral still beats counterparts by far when it comes to specialized services they offer.
The hospital PRO Halson Kagure says that apparently they have about 40 specialized services but inadequate spacing remains a stumbling block .
“Though government through the Ministry of Health has been supporting the hospital to raise infrastructure such as perimeter wall, Clinical laboratory, Infectious Diseases Treatment unit support would be enormous if it was a national or specialized hospital”, he said
Professor Iraka Owange the Hospital Board Chairman said that the hospital has gone along way adding that it’s affiliate to Mbarara University of Science and Technology puts it in a position to complement each other.
Dr Joseph Ngonzi is a one of the finest Obstetrician and Gynecology specialists in the country who also lectures at the country’s second medical institution Mbarara University where he also serves as Dean Faculty of Medicine commended the proposal arguing that it will also add quality on the medical students trained at the facility.
The Mbarara City head of technocrats Mr Assy Abireba reasons that if Mbarara Hospital is made a national referral the quality of healthcare services across the region will drastically improve
In response , the Mbarara Woman Member of 11th Parliament Hon Rita Atukwasa said the question of advocating for Mbarara Hospital to become a national referral hospital is unstoppable.
She pledged work hand in hand with fellow members of Parliament from the area to petition the commander in chief to remind him about his long time made pledge of elevating the hospital.
During the function, the hospital administration recognized a team of 13 medics led by Dr Deus Twesigye, a Senior Consultant General Surgeon who detached semiase twins with awards.
Among those who were honored include retirees, best performers in the financial year 2021/2022, HIV Clinic team and COVID-19 response team.
Mbarara Referral Hospital Annual Party brings together the hospital Staffs and nonsupport Staff to socialize by reflecting on the past year’s achievements, challenges and way forward.
Among other notable figures at the ceremony were the City Clerk Mr Assy Abireba, the Mbarara University officials led by their Secretary Mr Melchior Byaruhanga, and the hospital Board Chairperson Prof Iraka Owange.
