Mulago intensive care unit opens next week

THE Intensive Care Unit at Mulago Hospital will be reopened next week, the executive director, Dr. Edward Ddumba, has said.

Raymond Baguma reports that the premises were closed temporarily last week and the equipment transferred to allow renovations ahead of the Commonwealth summit (CHOGM) next month.

Addressing journalists yesterday, Ddumba said the kidney dialysis machine, and the unit for respiratory failure and head injuries were transferred to Ward 6A.

“We transferred the intensive care unit to ward 6A and only closed physical space to allow repairs but services are continuing. After completion of repairs at the end of the week, we shall decontaminate the unit.”

He refuted media reports that 30 patients had died following the closure of the intensive care unit.

“The intensive care unit has only 12 beds and we admit a maximum of five patients in a month. How does one say that 30 patients died?” he wondered.

Ddumba stressed that only three patients were admitted in critical condition when the repairs started.
He said the repairs were part a plan by the Government to renovate the hospital at a cost of sh2b.

“We are not repairing the hospital for CHOGM only. The services will remain for Ugandans.”