Uganda Health News: MPs approve loan for improving Mulago hospital services

Ultimate Media

Parliament has approved a 56 million US dollar loan for financing the improvement of health service delivery at Mulago hospital and in the City of Kampala.

The loan secured from the African Development Bank and the Nigeria Trust Fund will finance infrastructural improvements in Mulago hospital, as well as the construction of two referral health facilities in Makindye and Kwempe divisions.

The Minister for State for Health Dr. Richard Nduhura told Parliament that the capacity of Mulago hospital had not been improved despite the changes in population since independence.

 He said Uganda’s population had increased from ten million at independence to thirty three million but with no major changes at the capacity of the national referral hospital.

Dr. Ndurhura noted that due to breakdown in the referral system, the hospital has continued to be congested by patients referred there.

MPs observed the need to develop the capacity of other health units across the country to decongest the national referral hospital.

Dr. Nduhura says funding from the loan will also strengthen medical education and research at Mulago Hospital and Makerere College of Health Sciences.