Funding Shortages Delay Completion of Mbale Regional Referral Hospital’s Surgical Complex

Summary:

• Despite construction efforts since 2016, the Mbale Regional Referral Hospital’s surgical complex remains incomplete due to funding shortages. The absence of a fully functioning ICU has dire consequences, with preventable deaths occurring. Additional funds are needed to complete the project, highlighting the urgent need for sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure.

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Stakeholders have raised alarm over the halted progress of the Mbale Regional Referral Hospital (RRH) Surgical Complex Project, citing funding deficiencies as the primary cause.

Despite construction efforts dating back to 2016, the 260-bed capacity project aimed at addressing infrastructural gaps at the referral hospital in Mbale, Uganda, remains incomplete. This situation is mirrored in 12 other regional referral hospitals across the country. Mbale RRH serves approximately 4.5 million people across 16 districts in eastern Uganda and is one of the busiest regional hospitals in the nation.

The envisioned surgical complex was designed to expand the hospital’s capacity to provide specialist surgical services, including seven new wards, nine operating theatres, a casualty ward, and a 20-bed intensive care unit (ICU). The project is funded by the government of Uganda under the capital development fund.

Challenges persist, with stakeholders expressing dismay over funding shortages hindering the project’s completion. The absence of a fully functioning ICU has led to dire consequences, particularly for mothers and children, resulting in preventable deaths.

Despite the completion of the first and second phases of construction, progress has been impeded by funding deficits. Additional funds allocated during the COVID-19 pandemic were insufficient to sustain progress, leading to further delays. The ICU requires final electrical and plumbing fixtures, as well as external connections to essential services.

An estimated total of UGX 17 billion is needed to complete the project, with UGX 4.2 billion necessary for the ICU alone. Dr. Stephen Obbo, Director of Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, disclosed the lack of capital development funds for the hospital this year. However, the Ministry of Health has earmarked Shs2.4 billion for the ICU and radiology complex.

Proposals to involve the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) engineering brigade in the project’s third phase have not materialized, leaving stakeholders frustrated. The government requires UGX 79 billion to complete stalled infrastructure projects in 13 regional referral hospitals nationwide.

The plight of Mbale RRH underscores the urgent need for sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure. Stakeholders urge government action to ensure access to quality healthcare services and preventable deaths in the region.