UPDF role in hospital explained

By Pascal Kwesiga 

The health ministry has explained the role of the UPDF in the proposed upgrading of Entebbe Grade A Hospital into an international trauma and specialised centre.

The health minister, Dr. Christine Ondoa, over the weekend said this is not the first joint venture with the Ministry of Defence. 

She said they established the Joint Clinical Research Centre – the AIDS treatment, research and training facility – together with the UPDF and Makerere University.

Ondoa said the UPDF had proved to be a strategic partner in matters of health over time, adding that it provided support to the health ministry to construct the centre at the time when no one was willing to venture in the treatment of AIDs in the 1990.

“We were looking for partners to upgrade this facility and the UPDF said they have funds and are ready to work with us,” Ondoa said during a press conference after a tour of the hospital on Saturday. 

The dilapidated hospital, constructed in 1910, is adjacent to State House, Entebbe. 

According to the minister, the UPDF will provide 24-hour services to all categories of patients, including foreign guests.

There was only one patient at the time of inspection amidst rumours that patients had been sent home ahead of the planned tour by journalists, but the hospital staff dismissed the allegation.

“That is not true. We admit two or three patients a day. We get about 10 out-patients everyday but they have all been discharged,” said Florence Anabo, the acting officer in charge of the hospital.

She noted that with the International Trauma and Specialised Centre in place, the number of patients referred abroad for specialised treatment will reduce.

Ondoa added that the ministry will also commence massive rehabilitation works at the Entebbe isolation centre. The isolation centre and Grade A Hospital have been under Entebbe Grade B General Hospital. 

She said the three projects, including the trauma and specialised centre, will be executed under a World Bank project dubbed Uganda Health System Strengthening Project and Avian influenza project.

She said as upgrading of the Grade A Hospital kicks off, the Government will also equip the Grade B Hospital with modern medical equipment and construct more structures to enable the facility handle more patients.

“There is no need for an alternative hospital because there is no hospital that is being taken away. We are upgrading a hospital that will be opened to the public after construction,” she said.

Ondoa was flanked by the permanent secretary of the health ministry, Dr. Asuman Lukwago and Special Forces command spokesperson Capt. Edson Kwesiga. 

Anabo (right) welcoming Ondoa at Grade A Hospital for a press briefing on yesterday