Mengo Hospital seeks sh300m for accident and emergency ward

Mengo Hospital is in need of sh300m to construct an accident ward and renovate the General Outpatient department. The new structure will have 10 to 15-bed capacity.

The deputy medical director clinical services, Dr. Patrick Luwaga, said the causality department that has been receiving accident victims is too small to handle the increasing cases of accident victims. On average, Mengo receives about 10 accident victims.

Luwaga made the call at a press conference on Monday, to announce series of activities that will be held by the hospital to its 120th anniversary slated for 22nd of this month.

He said since the facility is located on the highway, many people prefer getting their services before they are referred to other hospitals.

"On a daily basis the hospital admits over 10 accident victims and emergency ward has a provision of only three beds, meaning it can only take in three victims at a time," said Luwaga.

He added that part of the money will be used to renovate the Out patients Department (OPD).

The hospital that was constructed in 1897 by Sir Albert Cook. The facility offers all types of medical services and the latest innovation is the faculty of Medicine that will be conducted in partnership with the Uganda Christian University (UCU), starting with the September intake.

"We shall be able to train medical doctors and the staff will keep upgrading to offer better services to the public. We shall improve further on medical education not only in Uganda but the entire region," Lwanga said.

The head of HIV/Counselling and TB clinic, Dr. Edith Namulema said they will conduct a medical camp for free medical services and cervical cancer screening as part of the activities to mark the anniversary.