AfDB calls for proper vetting of contractors

By Prossy Nandudu

The African Development Bank (AfDB) wants all contractors interested in the renovation of Mulago Hospital and the construction of two other hospitals in Kawempe and Kiruddu to be vetted.

This will eliminate contractors who are busy, have poor records of service delivery from the race to take up the project. The appeal was made by AfDB country representative, Patrick Khayemba Simiyu.

“When contractors are not prequalified, there is a danger of taking on weak contractors, who are not committed. Once someone is not committed, then the delivery of services will be affected,” Khayemba said.

He was speaking at the technical launch of the Improvement of Health services Delivery at Mulago

Hospital and the City of Kampala project being supported by the bank, at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel recently.

The technical launch was aimed at familiarising technical experts with the project objectives, components and bank rules in areas of disbursement, procurement and financial management and the level of governance required to manage the project.

The project is aimed at increasing access to quality and affordable health care services for the people of Kampala and the metropolitan areas.

It also aims at transforming Mulago Hospital into a centre of excellence in health care service delivery and education and training for health sciences students.