Museveni gives green light for purchase of medical equipment

Sep 09, 2017

The equipment is expected to facilitate 14 referral hospitals.

Museveni receives a delegation of investors from Netherlands headed by the Netherlands Ambassador to Uganda, Henk Jan Bakker (centre) and the CEO of Phillips Africa, Jasper Westerink (wearing red tie) and other officials at the State Lodge in Fort Portal on Thursday

MUSEVENI|HEALTHCARE

President Yoweri Museveni has granted permission to the health ministry to purchase diagnostic medical equipment worth €49m, from Philips Africa (Pty) Ltd, a Dutch company based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The President made the decision when he received a delegation from Philips Africa at the State Lodge in Fort Portal, Kabarole District. The chief executive officer of the company, Jasper Westerink led the delegation that also included the Dutch ambassador to Uganda, Henk Jan Bakker.

"The Government is ready to buy the medical equipment. When you diagnose the diseases in Uganda you save money on foreign medical travel and treatment. We are ready to pay the funds over a period of five to seven years. The Government of Uganda is ready to purchase the diagnostic equipment," he said.

The equipment is expected to facilitate 14 referral hospitals. The Dutch Government is to provide a 45% grant of €22m, while the Government of Uganda is to meet the rest of the 55% cost worth €27m.

The equipment includes CT scans, x-ray machines, ultra sound and intensive-care unit with particular reference to accident casualties. They are also to supply theatre and other diagnostic equipment.

The state minister for primary health, Sarah Opendi, revealed that the new equipment would go a long way towards decongesting Mulago Hospital.

Westerink, revealed that their company has fully embraced the manufacturing of specialised medical equipment, having stopped the manufacture of radio receivers and other related equipment. He said that his company has got the capacity and commitment to ensure prompt servicing of all its supplies.

 

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