HOIMA CITY, January 12, 2025 — Government, through the Ministry of Health and with funding from the World Bank under the Uganda COVID-19 Response and Emergency Preparedness Project [UCREPP], has completed the construction of a three-storey building worth Shs 8.4 billion, which will house the intensive care unit [ICU] at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital in Hoima City.
The hospital serves Hoima City as well as the districts of Masindi, Kiryandongo, Buliisa, Hoima, Kikuube, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kibaale, Kiboga, and Kyankwanzi.
Doreen Nshabohurira, the Communications Officer for UCREPP, stated that civil works for the building have been completed, and it is now awaiting the installation of equipment and commissioning.
She explained that the project was initiated to bring ICU services closer to the people of Bunyoro, who have previously had to travel to Kampala for such services.
“We are waiting for the equipment to be shipped into the country, and within two months, the machines will be installed, allowing the ICU department at this hospital to become operational,” she said.
Abdul Karim, the project manager for Excel Construction Ltd, explained that the building will house an operating theatre, an ICU department with eight beds and two isolation beds, a high-dependency unit [HDU] with eight beds and two isolation beds, as well as eight dialysis beds.
He noted that the construction was completed after 15 months, and the contractor has now entered the one-year liability defect period.
Dr. Ibrahim Bwaga, the acting hospital director, commended the government for constructing the facility, adding that once it is equipped with the necessary infrastructure and equipment, it will be a significant relief for both medical workers and patients.
He noted that the hospital is increasingly concerned about the growing number of patients requiring ICU services.
Hospital statistics show that at least 30 patients in need of ICU care are admitted each week, yet the facility currently lacks the specialized infrastructure and equipment to handle such cases.
Dr. Bwaga explained that the hospital regularly receives accident victims with head injuries, women experiencing obstructed labour, patients with intestinal obstructions or bowel perforations, as well as premature or preterm babies, all of whom require ICU services.
He expressed concern that, despite the increasing demand, the hospital still lacks the necessary specialised equipment and infrastructure for ICU care.
As a result, patients are often referred to Kiruddu General Hospital or Mulago National Referral Hospital, which sometimes risks their lives due to the delays involved.
Dr. Bwaga made these remarks on Friday during a media tour of the building structure, attended by officials from the Ministry of Health and media practitioners from various outlets.
He also highlighted the financial burden placed on patients who are referred to hospitals in Kampala, stating that the new ICU at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital will bring much-needed services closer to the people, saving lives, reducing costs, and mitigating the risks faced by patients and their attendants.
In addition to the ICU, Bwaga commended the government for the installation of an oxygen manufacturing plant at the hospital.
He noted that the plant currently produces over 100 oxygen cylinders per day, ensuring a reliable supply of oxygen, which was a major concern during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The new oxygen manufacturing facility fills ten cylinders per hour, producing 100 cylinders per day, compared to the previous one, which could only fill eight cylinders daily,” he explained.
Badru Mugabi, the Resident City Commissioner for Hoima, added that the government had also procured a CT scan, which has already been installed at the facility.
“There has been significant concern over referrals from Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, but we are optimistic that with the completion of the ICU unit, people will receive timely services,” he said.
https://thecooperator.news/understaffing-cripples-neonatal-care-unit-at-mbarara-hospital/
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