By Carol Kasujja

Patients in need of modern medical equipment will no longer need to travel abroad for diagnosis and treatment of complicated diseases.

Surgipharm Uganda in collaboration with Danida donated blood gas machines to Mulago and Mbarara National referral hospitals worth $40,000 to be used in monitoring patients in intensive care.

The development was made public at the Ministry of Health gardens on Sunday where the new equipment was received.

The minister of State for health (general duties) Sarah Kataike aired the need for an efficient health infrastructure in the sector.

She said: “Health infrastructure represents a critical bottleneck in the ability of the sector to attain its health delivery priorities. Our health facilities still lack the necessary equipment needed for diagnosing and managing the various medical and surgical conditions.”

Kataike thanked Surgipharm Uganda-Danida, the Danish Embassy and the manufacturing group Radiometer for the machines donated to the health facilities in addition to their usual support.

Kinny Nayer, the managing director Surgipharm, said the machines are meant for use in intensive care to save lives, provide quality services, reduce the number of hospital beds at facilities and add value to the health care service.

The machines will help to reduce financial pressure on health facilities.

During the launch, Upenytho George, the director of Mbarara regional hospital, said that the donation of the machines to the hospital is timely and will go a long way in facilitating the management of patients in need.

“We shall ensure that the machines are in use and in good working conditions all the time,” he said.