Mbarara, (UG): The Executive Director of Mbarara Referral Hospital, Dr Celestine Barigye has tasked Mbarara City authorities to work towards attaining the cemetery.
Unveiling the hospital’s milestones and challenges to the media at his residence in Bushenyi, Dr Barigye sought to understand how cities can progress without places where people can be decently buried.
According to Dr Barigye world over, cemeteries are recognized places and should be well preserved.
The outspoken Director’s comments come at the time when Mbarara City’s land of the dead was encroached upon.
Halson Kagure, the Mbarara Referral Hospital Public Relations Officer said that the land which was claimed is where the hospital buries unclaimed bodies.
However, Kagure trashed allegations that since the cemetery’s encroachment Mbarara Referral Hospital has been stranded with unclaimed bodies.
Nevertheless, the Hospital Director who is also the regional director of health services promised to meet with city authorities to forge the way forward.
On the other hand, Dr Barigye shed light on the increasing number of super-specialized services at the hospital coupled with the recent accreditation of the Clinical laboratory. This, he said will boost the incoming of foreign and regional clients termed as medical tourism.
Some of the reputable services at MRRH include neurology, neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, pediatric and adult oncology, and MRI investigation among others.
It’s said that on a daily basis the hospital can attract as more as over 1000 clients given the fact that her it extends beyond the catchment area.
But, the hospital is overstretched as it operates just like any other regional referral hospital which is unrealistic.
In the last financial year, MRRH took the country by storm when it emerged number two after Mulago National Referral Hospital in terms of conducting surgeries.
Dr Barigye mentioned that they are looking forward to engaging government to upgrade the hospital.
The hospital has also been performing well in HIV/AIDS management following the attainment of 99% viral load suppression due to the support from the American People through USAID Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Strengthening Activity.
However, Dr Barigye encouraged the people to keep taking their drugs ‘religiously’ besides underscoring traditional and new measures put in place to stop the spread of HIV pandemic.
It should be recalled that Mbarara is on the spotlight for registering more cases of HIV which puts it in second position after Fort Portal.
The Hospital Director further highlighted the construction of a regional incinerator at Bushenyi Mbarara highway to deal with the challenge of wanting waste management in the region.
The hospital management also committed to open the upper gate whose construction delays have somewhat hampered movements.
On a lighter note, Dr Barigye and family commended religious leaders which among others include Archbishop Lambert Bainomugisha of Nyamitanga Archdiocese, Rt Rev Associate Professor Sheldon Mwesigwa of Ankole, Bishop Twinomujuni Johnson of West Ankole, Bishop Nathan Ahimbisibwe of South Ankore and Pastor Robert Kayanja, the founder and senior pastor of the Miracle Center Cathedral for keeping him in their prayers during the time when he was sick.
He and his family also thanked the work done by Pastor Jessica Kayanja for organizing all prayers.
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