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Naguru Hospital to handle only accident cases
Dr Emmanuel Tugeneyo, the Naguru Hospital executive director and Ms Jiang Jiqing the economic and commercial counsellor of the Chinese embassy, sign documents after the health facility received medical equipment in Kampala on Thursday. PHOTO/STEPHEN OTAGE
What you need to know:
- According to Dr Tito Beyaza the hospital board chairperson, when they were appointed in 2020, they were tasked to ensure that they transform the former 100-bed maternity specialised hospital into a trauma and emergency unit but they do not have any legal instrument giving them the powers
The Chinese government has said it is waiting for clearance from the government to upgrade the Naguru-China Friendship Hospital into a specialised facility handling only accident and emergency cases.
According to Dr Tito Beyaza the hospital board chairperson, when they were appointed in 2020, they were tasked to ensure that they transform the former 100-bed maternity specialised hospital into a trauma and emergency unit but they do not have any legal instrument giving them the powers.
While delivering medical equipment donated by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the China Communications and Construction Company to the hospital last week, Ms Jiang Jiqing the economic and commercial counsellor of the Chinese embassy, said they want to upgrade the facility because more Chinese companies are opening up businesses in the country.
“It is two years since I came to Uganda and the Chinese population is now at 20,000. We have more than 100 Chinese manufacturing companies in Uganda and we were happy when the board came up with a strategy of making this the best trauma hospital and we are just waiting for clearance from Ministry of Finance,” Ms Jiang said.
Likewise, Dr Emmanuel Tugeneyo, the hospital’s executive director, said 20 years since the hospital was handed over to government, it has rendered many operations to Ugandans and in the process, it equipment got worn out.
He cited the drainage system, water pipes and human resource as areas in need of immediate attention.
Dr Rony Batuhangire, the acting commissioner for clinical services, said the government seeks to convert the hospital into an accident unit due to the increased population and the congestion at the Mulago accident and trauma ward.
He added that once complete, the facility will be turned into a centre of excellence for East Africa since its serves a larger city population.
