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Nsambya hospital commits continued caring for Fr. Kirunda after Weekend Vision investigation
While declining to disclose details about his condition, the hospital cited patient confidentiality, saying professional ethics and the law prevent it from discussing an individual's medical case in public.
St. Francis Hospital Nsambya has reaffirmed its commitment to continue providing medical care to Rev. Fr. Isaac Kirunda following public concern generated by a Weekend Vision investigation into injuries he sustained while receiving treatment at the hospital. (File)
By: Ibrahim Ruhweza, Journalist @New Vision
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St. Francis Hospital Nsambya has reaffirmed its commitment to continue providing medical care to Rev. Fr. Isaac Kirunda following public concern generated by a Weekend Vision investigation into injuries he sustained while receiving treatment at the hospital.
In a statement released on July 10, the hospital confirmed that Fr. Kirunda is under the care of its medical team and remains in close contact with both doctors and his family.
While declining to disclose details about his condition, the hospital cited patient confidentiality, saying professional ethics and the law prevent it from discussing an individual's medical case in public.
"Our priority remains the well-being of Fr. Kirunda. We are working closely with him to ensure he receives appropriate and continuous medical care," the statement said.
The statement follows an investigation by Weekend Vision on July 4-5 that detailed Fr. Kirunda's account of an incident that allegedly left him with severe burns during treatment ahead of dialysis.
According to the cleric, he travelled from St. Augustine Wemba Parish in Jinja City to Nsambya Hospital on June 3 for routine tests before beginning dialysis treatment. Upon arrival, doctors reportedly informed him that he first needed treatment for an infection detected in his blood before dialysis could proceed.
Fr. Kirunda says he agreed to the treatment and was taken into a procedure room where medication was administered through his hand. However, moments after the procedure began, he experienced intense pain, which he described as far beyond what he expected.
He says he alerted the attending doctor but was reassured that the pain was normal and a sign that the treatment was working.
Instead, the pain became unbearable. According to Fr. Kirunda, the doctor later appeared to realise something had gone wrong and struggled to switch off the machine. He claims the equipment failed to respond, forcing him to pull himself away as his hand rapidly swelled and wounds started appearing.
"I knew my hand would be cut off because of what had happened," he told Weekend Vision.
The priest alleged that the doctor left the room immediately after the incident, while other medical staff later rushed in to assist him. By then, he says, he was bleeding heavily before eventually losing consciousness.
According to the cleric, he travelled from St. Augustine Wemba Parish in Jinja City to Nsambya Hospital on June 3 for routine tests before beginning dialysis treatment. Upon arrival, doctors reportedly informed him that he first needed treatment for an infection detected in his blood before dialysis could proceed.
Fr. Kirunda says he agreed to the treatment and was taken into a procedure room where medication was administered through his hand. However, moments after the procedure began, he experienced intense pain, which he described as far beyond what he expected.
He says he alerted the attending doctor but was reassured that the pain was normal and a sign that the treatment was working.
Instead, the pain became unbearable. According to Fr. Kirunda, the doctor later appeared to realise something had gone wrong and struggled to switch off the machine. He claims the equipment failed to respond, forcing him to pull himself away as his hand rapidly swelled and wounds started appearing.
"I knew my hand would be cut off because of what had happened," he told Weekend Vision.
The priest alleged that the doctor left the room immediately after the incident, while other medical staff later rushed in to assist him. By then, he says, he was bleeding heavily before eventually losing consciousness.
He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, where he spent more than a week receiving treatment. More than a month later, he continues to return to the hospital for regular reviews as he recovers from the injuries.
The incident has raised questions about patient safety, equipment maintenance, and accountability, with many calling for a transparent explanation of what exactly caused the burns. Healthcare experts note that serious injuries during dialysis-related procedures are rare and normally require detailed technical investigations to establish whether they result from equipment failure, electrical faults, procedural errors, or other treatment complications.
Speaking to Weekend Vision, Nsambya Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr Andrew Ssekitoleko acknowledged that an error occurred during Fr. Kirunda's treatment and confirmed that the hospital would continue caring for him at no cost.
"We are not complacent. Even if the hospital has a fault, we can still support the patient," Ssekitoleko said.
He, however, urged members of the public to avoid using the media to raise complaints that could instead be addressed through the hospital's internal systems. He also maintained that some allegations surrounding the hospital lacked proper context and were exaggerated.
The CEO acknowledged that the hospital, like many health facilities, has faced financial challenges in recent years, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, but insisted these difficulties have not diminished its commitment to patient care. He defended the hospital's procurement and governance systems, saying management investigates and disciplines staff whenever irregular practices are identified.
Fr. Kirunda has said his focus remains on recovery rather than assigning blame. Although he continues to undergo routine dialysis while receiving treatment for the burn injuries, he says he remains hopeful that he will regain full use of his injured hand.
The incident has raised questions about patient safety, equipment maintenance, and accountability, with many calling for a transparent explanation of what exactly caused the burns. Healthcare experts note that serious injuries during dialysis-related procedures are rare and normally require detailed technical investigations to establish whether they result from equipment failure, electrical faults, procedural errors, or other treatment complications.
Speaking to Weekend Vision, Nsambya Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr Andrew Ssekitoleko acknowledged that an error occurred during Fr. Kirunda's treatment and confirmed that the hospital would continue caring for him at no cost.
"We are not complacent. Even if the hospital has a fault, we can still support the patient," Ssekitoleko said.
He, however, urged members of the public to avoid using the media to raise complaints that could instead be addressed through the hospital's internal systems. He also maintained that some allegations surrounding the hospital lacked proper context and were exaggerated.
The CEO acknowledged that the hospital, like many health facilities, has faced financial challenges in recent years, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, but insisted these difficulties have not diminished its commitment to patient care. He defended the hospital's procurement and governance systems, saying management investigates and disciplines staff whenever irregular practices are identified.
Fr. Kirunda has said his focus remains on recovery rather than assigning blame. Although he continues to undergo routine dialysis while receiving treatment for the burn injuries, he says he remains hopeful that he will regain full use of his injured hand.