India health plan hailed
Oct 13, 2005
THE deputy National Political Commissar, Kirunda Kivejinja, has asked the Government to use India as a model for developing Uganda’s health sector.
By Milton Olupot
THE deputy National Political Commissar, Kirunda Kivejinja, has asked the Government to use India as a model for developing Uganda’s health sector.
Kivejinja, while delivering a paper at the Uganda Medical Board at Mulago Hospital yesterday, said India was the number one destination for medical tourism in the world.
The lecture, based on his recent experience as a patient in Ganga Hospital, India, where he underwent a spinal operation, quoted the charges on treatment as only 10% of the cost of the same in the US, Europe and South Africa.
He said cardiac treatment in India is US$4,500 while in the EU and US, it is US$35,000. Bone marrow transplant in India is US$20,000 while in the EU/US it is at US$210,000. Spine treatment in India costs US$2,500 while in EU/US, it is US$30,000.
Kivejinja asked the board to initiate policies and get allies to lobby the Government to implement them. “I am your first ally, I have set up this battle, I don’t know whether I will win, but I am rejuvenated.â€
The acting Mulago Hospital director, Dr. Edward Kironde naddumba, said they would work hand in hand with the Government to devise policies that would reduce on referrals abroad.
“Equipment is our biggest problem. This is the area that we have to focus on and we have to develop policies on training and developing centres of excellence,†he said.
The board members emphasised a need to invest in equipment and human resources.
Dr. Nyakoojo Abwooli of the Uganda Heart Institute emphasised the need to acquire medical equipment because there is enough human capital.
Ends
THE deputy National Political Commissar, Kirunda Kivejinja, has asked the Government to use India as a model for developing Uganda’s health sector.
Kivejinja, while delivering a paper at the Uganda Medical Board at Mulago Hospital yesterday, said India was the number one destination for medical tourism in the world.
The lecture, based on his recent experience as a patient in Ganga Hospital, India, where he underwent a spinal operation, quoted the charges on treatment as only 10% of the cost of the same in the US, Europe and South Africa.
He said cardiac treatment in India is US$4,500 while in the EU and US, it is US$35,000. Bone marrow transplant in India is US$20,000 while in the EU/US it is at US$210,000. Spine treatment in India costs US$2,500 while in EU/US, it is US$30,000.
Kivejinja asked the board to initiate policies and get allies to lobby the Government to implement them. “I am your first ally, I have set up this battle, I don’t know whether I will win, but I am rejuvenated.â€
The acting Mulago Hospital director, Dr. Edward Kironde naddumba, said they would work hand in hand with the Government to devise policies that would reduce on referrals abroad.
“Equipment is our biggest problem. This is the area that we have to focus on and we have to develop policies on training and developing centres of excellence,†he said.
The board members emphasised a need to invest in equipment and human resources.
Dr. Nyakoojo Abwooli of the Uganda Heart Institute emphasised the need to acquire medical equipment because there is enough human capital.
Ends