Mulago hospital renovation in high gear

By Violet Nabatanzi

Renovation of Mulago National referral hospital is in high gear with thirty percent of the works finalized.
 
The hospital's spokesperson, Enock Kusasira, told New Vision that in September patients who will be admitted on blocks B and C will be transferred to the renovated A and G.

He said since renovation works at Kawempe and Kiruddu health facilities are in final stages, patients at Mulago hospital will be required to seek services from these facilities.

 
A mobile x-ray machine purchased for the new theater complex at Mulago Referral Hospital. Photo/Tony Rujuta.
 

"These hospitals are being equipped with the necessary equipment; people don't need to go to Mulago for services such as CT-scan, Ultra sound and X-rays because these hospitals will have them. Besides there is going to be an ambulance system connecting all hospitals in metropolitan Kampala," Kusasira said. 
 
He said the lower facilities will handle cases of accident victims, diabetic patients, HIV/AIDS cases and those with high blood pressure. 

 One of the new heavy duty ultra sound machines being used at Mulago Referral Hospital. Photo/Tony Rujuta.

Mulago hospital has also received about ten X-ray machines, ten Ultra sound machines and eye equipment among others.
 
"Other equipment like Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Mammography and CT-Scan machines will be procured after the renovation exercise.
 
Last year President Museveni officially launched the re-modeling of the hospital. The rehabilitation of the hospital will cost US$29m while the equipment will cost US$20m.
 
The money is part of a loan facility from the African Development Bank (ADB) to increase access to quality and affordable health care services for Kampala.
 
Built in 1913 by Sir Albert Cook Mulago currently accommodates 1,500 in-patients.

The hospital remains the only national referral hospital in the country. In 1962, Old Mulago hospital merged with New Mulago hospital to form the Mulago hospital complex.