Mulago not equipped for emergencies

By Jeff Andrew Lule, John Agaba & Violet Nabatanzi

MULAGO Hospital’s intensive care unit is not adequately equipped to handle emergencies, according to the hospital’s consultants.

Dr. Robert Ssentongo, the senior consultant plastic surgeon at the hospital’s burns unit, told the health minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, yesterday that the intensive care unit has only 40 beds, yet it receives over 100 patients.

Ssentongo explained that the unit handles burns victims as well as other patients who need intensive care. 

It is also shared by patients from the paediatrics department, thus is often congested, which is a danger to the patients.

Ssentongo added that the unit does not have adequate respiratory equipment and has only one theatre, which needs refurbishment.

Rugunda promised to provide the hospital with more support to enable it handle emergencies effectively.

He was visiting the victims of the Northern Bypass inferno and relatives of those who died in the fire yesterday.

Health minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda talking to some of the doctors and nurses treating survivors of the Namungoona tragedy on Monday.

Rugunda said more needs to be done to save the lives of people who are injured in fire and motor accidents in future.

On arrival, Rugunda briefly met the officials of the hospital and health ministry. He said the Namungoona tragedy should provide lessons for handling future incidents.

Rugunda thanked the Police for its quick response to the fire, adding that the country has lost great citizens who have been in some way or the other contributing to the development of the nation through various activities.

Dr. Margaret Mungherera, Mulago Hospital’s senior consultant psychiatrist, said they had set up a team of social workers to help those affected by the incident.

“The counsellors are talking to the relatives of the deceased to protect them from the lifetime effects of the tragedy. This is a hard time and it is one reason why some people commit suicide,” she said.