Health ministry appoints new city hospital bosses

The ministry of health has appointed executive directors and assistant directors to manage the new health facilities of Kawempe, Kirruddu and the Women and Neonatal Hospital.

The new directors for Women and Neonatal hospital at Mulago are senior consultant gynaecologist, Dr Evelyn Nabunya, deputised by senior consultant paediatrician, Dr Jolly Nankunda.

Dr Charles Kabugo a senior consultant physician was appointed executive director for Kiruddu Hospital and he is deputised by Dr Robert Sentongo.

Dr Nehemia Katusiime was appointed to head Kawempe Hospital and his assistant is Dr Lawrence Kazibwe.

The development comes after government realised there was a need for the facilities to have independent management for proper health service delivery.

"We have appointed interim hospital directors for Women's hospital, Kirruddu and Kawempe .The new directors and their assistants are required to oversee the process to operationalise the hospitals as  Health service commission concludes the recruitment process," the health ministry permanent secretary Dr Diana Atwine said.

Previously these hospitals were under the management of Mulago National Referral Hospital.

Speaking in a phone interview, Kabugo welcomed the new development saying they have made strides in solving the issues of sewage at Kiruddu.

He said during his term in office, he will make sure that there is an improvement in medical supplies. He is optimist that together with his team of doctors, nurses and support staff, they will offer good health services to the patients.

"Although we are not 100 % autonomous, at least we can institute a proper management system to improve health service delivery," he said.

Nabunya said she was not aware of her appointment because she has not yet talked to the permanent secretary. She however said that the new women and neonatal hospital will soon be commissioned.

The 400-bed facility will offer specialised treatment for high-risk antenatal care, delivery and postnatal services, gynaecology services, focusing on obstetric fistula.

The centre will also handle cancers of the female reproductive system including ovarian cancer, uterine, endometrial, cervical, and vulvar cancer.

Other services to be offered include neonatal services and in vitro fertilisation (IVF). According to statistics, about 10-15% of the couples in Uganda cannot have children due to infertility.

Dr Ekwaro Obuku, the president of Uganda Medical Association, urged the new directors to put the patients first and not necessarily protect the image of government where the system is weak and failing.

"Often we have seen fellow doctors cover up when oxygen, blood, laboratory reagents are out of stock and patients are hoodwinked only to die in hospital. They are bound by the Hippocratic Oath and should speak up on behalf of the patients," Obuku said.