The number of patients in Uganda continues to rise making it vital to have more national referrals.
As a result, legislators on the Health Committee of Parliament have intensified calls to elevate Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital to a national referral facility to ease the burden on Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala.
The renewed push came during a Monday meeting where officials from regional referral hospitals presented budget framework papers for the 2025/2026 financial year.
Margaret Ayebare, MP for Mbarara District, noted that several regional hospitals, including Kabale and Masaka, refer patients to Mbarara. She argued that upgrading its status would enable the hospital to better handle the growing patient load.
“I have seen patients from Kabale and Masaka coming to Mbarara. The hospital already serves a catchment area of 12 districts plus highways and patients from Rwanda and Tanzania,” Ayebare noted.
Dr. George Bhoka Didi, MP for Obongi County, echoed similar sentiments, urging strategic development of more national referral hospitals across the country.
“We need to establish national referral hospitals in the three greater regions of this country, particularly in Mbarara, Mbale, Jinja, and Gulu, to bring services closer to the people,” Bhoka suggested.
Funding, Infrastructure Challenges
Naome Kabasharira, MP for Rushenyi County, highlighted that while Mbarara Hospital is equipped with advanced medical facilities such as dialysis units, its infrastructure remains outdated.
“I request that Mbarara Hospital be given another chance in terms of funding. It is a referral of referrals. Masaka, Kabale, and Fort Portal hospitals send patients here, yet its budget has not been increasing,” Kabasharira observed.
Among the hospital’s urgent needs is a regional medical equipment workshop, requiring Ugx400 million.
Dr. Deus Twesigye, Acting Hospital Director, noted that the absence of such a facility impedes the maintenance of critical equipment like CT scans.
“There are high maintenance costs, but the cost of running it is even higher without proper support,” Twesigye explained.
Budget Gaps In Regional Hospitals
In Hoima, Regional Referral Hospital Director Dr. Ibrahim Bwaga requested an increased budget to fund a maternal and child health complex estimated at Ugx33.6 billion.
He lamented that the current allocation of Ugx1.15 billion was insufficient to complete even the substructure.
“The inadequate financial allocations for infrastructure development have compromised space and led to more floor cases,” Dr. Bwaga said.
Similarly, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital faces setbacks due to inconsistent power supply.
Director Dr. Alfred Yayi reported that limited electricity access has reduced the use of the hospital’s CT scan. He appealed for Ugx300 million to maintain essential equipment.
Suggested Solutions
A major concern across regional hospitals is mounting arrears in utility payments. Mbarara Hospital reportedly owes Ugx716.3 million, Hoima Hospital Ugx137.6 million, and Jinja Hospital Ugx3 billion.
Elisa Rutahigwa, MP for Rukungiri Municipality, proposed fixing electricity inefficiencies to cut costs.
“Most of the electricity you use is actually lost due to poor wiring and connections. Technical experts can assess these hospitals and fix the leakages,” Rutahigwa suggested.
Kwania Woman MP Kenny Auma recommended exploring alternative water sources to manage utility expenses more effectively.
However, with persistent calls for better healthcare services and infrastructure, Parliament is expected to deliberate on these proposals during the 2025/2026 national budget process.
Legislators have stressed the need for equitable healthcare funding to ensure regional hospitals can effectively serve their populations and reduce pressure on Mulago National Referral Hospital.
The Health Committee’s recommendations will be closely watched as the government finalizes its budget priorities in the coming months.
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