Mbarara, (UG):- The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa, has reignited the call to elevate Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) to a National Referral Hospital.
The remarks were made by Tayebwa during his recent visit to assess the hospital’s state of affairs, where he witnessed firsthand the overwhelming demand for services and long queues of patients waiting for operations, highlighting the dire need for increased capacity.
Established in 1930 and upgraded to a regional referral hospital in 2005, MRRH serves 4.6 million people from 12 districts, one city, and neighbouring areas. However, with a current resource envelope of 17 billion every financial year, the hospital struggles to meet patient needs.
The hospital faces numerous challenges, including insufficient budget, limited infrastructure, and inadequate land for expansion and to address these challenges, Tayebwa pledged to engage with the government to increase funding in the Ministry of Health.
He also vowed to advocate for MRRH’s elevation to a national referral hospital and increase the retooling budget from 120 million to 3 billion in the next financial year.
Tayebwa also revealed plans to upgrade Kitagata Hospital to a regional referral hospital once MRRH becomes a national referral hospital, a move that aims to improve healthcare access across Uganda.
“We must prioritize healthcare as a critical pillar for national growth and development,” he emphasized.
Dr. Deus Twesigye, MRRH’s Acting Hospital Director, expressed optimism about providing quality services with government support. “We’re committed to offering highly specialized patient care services for a healthy and productive population,” he said.
Mbarara City Mayor, Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, commended Tayebwa’s visit, saying, “The Deputy Speaker’s experience will compel him to lobby for the hospital. We’re eager to see the upgrades materialize.” Regarding the land exchange with Rwizi Region Police, Kakyebezi noted, “We’ve earmarked Kenkombe for Rwizi Region Police, but we await a response from the Internal Affairs Ministry.”
Halson Kagure, the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Public Relations Officer clarified that the hospital has established itself as a beacon of hope in offering super specialized services owing to its affiliation to Mbarara University of Science and Technology, the second medical school in Uganda.
Kagure told journalists that the hospital offers forty specialized services, making it the sole treatment centre in the region.
Tayebwa’s commitment marks a significant step towards transforming Uganda’s healthcare landscape. With increased funding and support, MRRH can provide quality services, improving the lives of millions.
Currently, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital sits on 10 hectares, limiting expansion due to its sister institution, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, occupying a significant portion of the land.
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