Heart institute wants autonomy
Jul 15, 2011
THE Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) is seeking autonomy from Mulago National Referral Hospital in order to improve efficiency in service delivery through training and recruitment of staff.
By Raymond Baguma
THE Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) is seeking autonomy from Mulago National Referral Hospital in order to improve efficiency in service delivery through training and recruitment of staff.
The institute is semi-autonomous which allows for independence in financial management, but with approval from the health ministry, according to the director, Dr. John Omagino.
Board chairman Ssebunya said the public service ministry had no attractive benefits, salaries and entitlements to offer the highly skilled and specialised heart surgeons at the institute yet they are on demand internationally.
He also pointed out that during the recent validation exercise, the Health Service Commission did not offer promotions to the heart surgeons because they did not undertake the three to four-year training as is done internationally.
“Our training model is that for specialist training. A member is sent abroad for one to two years to get the theories and exposure followed by skills training at home. Trainees do not get hands-on training while aboard due to legal limitations. This is why we adopted this model,†Ssebunya explained. “We are frightened that the specialists may consider leaving for greener pastures,†he added.
He said the autonomy to be granted by an Act of Parliament would give the institute authority to recruit and set attractive terms for staff.
Omagino said with low funding, the institute cannot meet its operational costs.
For instance, this financial year 2011/2012, only sh39million has been provided to cover the non-wage bill out of their submitted budget of sh7.28b. Omagino said they receive an average of 100 patients daily for diagnosis and a modern cardiac laboratory and theatre with equipment will be opened by October this year.
He also said the design and bills of qualities for a modern complex with a 200-bed capacity were ready and awaiting funding.
“This facility will give us space for patient care, teaching and training, research and accommodation of staff,†he said.
The minister of health, Dr.Christine Ondoa, on Tuesday inaugurated a new board of directors for the institute.
The board is led by Robert Ssebunya as chairman and Sam Owori as vice-chairman.
Other members are Gordon Wavamunno, Dr.Lawrence Kaggwa, Peter Musoke, Edith Nassuuna, Dr. Omagino, Prof. Harriet Mayanja, Dr.Byarugaba, Dr. Jacinto Amandua, Dr. Sam Zaramba and Prof. D’Arbella.
Ondoa pledged to address the legal status of the institute, secure funding for the construction of the proposed new complex and address the high operational costs and inadequate cardiac services in hospitals around the country.
THE Uganda Heart Institute (UHI) is seeking autonomy from Mulago National Referral Hospital in order to improve efficiency in service delivery through training and recruitment of staff.
The institute is semi-autonomous which allows for independence in financial management, but with approval from the health ministry, according to the director, Dr. John Omagino.
Board chairman Ssebunya said the public service ministry had no attractive benefits, salaries and entitlements to offer the highly skilled and specialised heart surgeons at the institute yet they are on demand internationally.
He also pointed out that during the recent validation exercise, the Health Service Commission did not offer promotions to the heart surgeons because they did not undertake the three to four-year training as is done internationally.
“Our training model is that for specialist training. A member is sent abroad for one to two years to get the theories and exposure followed by skills training at home. Trainees do not get hands-on training while aboard due to legal limitations. This is why we adopted this model,†Ssebunya explained. “We are frightened that the specialists may consider leaving for greener pastures,†he added.
He said the autonomy to be granted by an Act of Parliament would give the institute authority to recruit and set attractive terms for staff.
Omagino said with low funding, the institute cannot meet its operational costs.
For instance, this financial year 2011/2012, only sh39million has been provided to cover the non-wage bill out of their submitted budget of sh7.28b. Omagino said they receive an average of 100 patients daily for diagnosis and a modern cardiac laboratory and theatre with equipment will be opened by October this year.
He also said the design and bills of qualities for a modern complex with a 200-bed capacity were ready and awaiting funding.
“This facility will give us space for patient care, teaching and training, research and accommodation of staff,†he said.
The minister of health, Dr.Christine Ondoa, on Tuesday inaugurated a new board of directors for the institute.
The board is led by Robert Ssebunya as chairman and Sam Owori as vice-chairman.
Other members are Gordon Wavamunno, Dr.Lawrence Kaggwa, Peter Musoke, Edith Nassuuna, Dr. Omagino, Prof. Harriet Mayanja, Dr.Byarugaba, Dr. Jacinto Amandua, Dr. Sam Zaramba and Prof. D’Arbella.
Ondoa pledged to address the legal status of the institute, secure funding for the construction of the proposed new complex and address the high operational costs and inadequate cardiac services in hospitals around the country.