The UPDF engineering brigade has handed over a newly constructed Intensive Care Unit – ICU ward to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. The unit which cost 804 Million Shillings was constructed over the last 18 months. This project was fully funded by Government of Uganda, supervised by the Ministry of Health Infrastructure Department.

The hospital’s expanded and renovated Intensive Care Unit was put into service by Minister in charge of Presidency Hon. Milly Babalanda, who was representing Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero.

Ugandans were reassured by Hon. Babalanda that the government, led by His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of healthcare in the nation and that the initiative has received full funding from the government. “There has been an increase in health services, particularly in government facilities, as a result of the Government’s combined efforts with development partners,” she stated. She also promised to share the difficulties the hospital’s medics were having.

During his speech, Dr. Alfred Yayi, the Hospital Director, emphasized that the Jinja Regional Referral Hospital serves 11 districts and 1 city in the Busoga sub-region, which include Jinja, Mayuge, Iganga, Luuka, Kaliro, Kamuli, Namutumba, Buyende, Bugweri, Bugiri, Namayingo, and Jinja City.

Dr. Yayi underlined that issues including the lack of a local blood blank, oxygen pipe, and the requirement to build a wall barrier surrounding the hospital still needed to be addressed, understaffing in the ICU where are are currently nine staff and two Anesthesiologists suggesting that in order to effectively operationalize the unit, at least 20 specialized staff members are required.

He further wants all the Jinja Hospital staff to be trained in critical healthcare, which will increase the workforce of health workers with the skills to handle patients in dire need of such services within the ICU.

The Ministry of Health, according to Dr. Rony Bahatungire, the acting Commissioner in charge of clinical services, is dedicated to enhancing the workforce composition of essential healthcare providers nationwide in order to facilitate prompt access to comprehensive health services within their purview.

The ICU project manager for the UPDF, Col. Godfrey Tukamwakira, claims that the project’s sensitivity and the need to make the proper installations to guarantee the safety of patients and healthcare providers alike caused delays in its completion.

The UPDF engineering brigade was then thanked for a job well done by Dr. Olaro Charles, Director of Curative Services Ministry of Health. He emphasized that the blood bank will be constructed in a specific location in Busoga. Additionally, he exhorted the community to keep giving blood every two years.

Deputy Mayor Fazira Kawuma of Jinja City, Ministry of Health Commissioner of Infrastructure Eng. Otim George, and Jinja Regional Referral Hospital staff were present during the occasion.

Fully equipped Intensive Care Unit.