The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Karuma, Uganda | URN | Excessive government red tape is delaying the arrivals of state of the art equipment for advanced specialised treatment of the brain and the kidney as well as the heart in Uganda.
Restoration Gateway, a faith based charity organisation operating multi-disciplinary institutions in Karuma Township in Kiryandongo district, says it is stuck getting the required ultra modern medical equipment from the Untied States into the country. It cites corruption and bureaucracies perpetrated by government agencies for its failure.
Once installed, some of the equipment are expected to revolutionise open heart procedures and brain as well as kidney treatment in Uganda by empowering Ugandan doctors to consult experts in the United States online during the course of ongoing operations.
On Wednesday, Dr. David Tim McCall, the Executive Director of Restoration Gateway Projects in Uganda, took President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni through a guided tour of the hospital shortly after commissioning it.
Dr. McCall told President Museveni that they are facing multiple obstructions to bringing hi-tech equipment into Uganda and have only managed to import very few. He said most of their beds were domestically fabricated by students trained at the facility after suffering government red tape since 2012.
The hospital equipped with outpatient department and marine ambulance for residents on the eastern bank of River Nile has 180 full service beds for in patients.
President Museveni apologised for the government red tape delaying importation of the hospital facilities saying he will deal with the responsible government officials.
In the meantime, the President said electricity will be extended to the hospital which is being supported by Baylor Scott and White Healthcare Systems, one of the top healthcare systems in the United States of America. He also said government is discussing terms of partnership with the charity organisation to collaborate in its operation.
The hospital that will also be equipped with a nursing and post medical doctorate training programme, eight treatment and dental teaching centre, is part of a major post-conflict recovery programme for northern Uganda established in 2005.
The programme envisions agriculture and education training, radio station, orphanage homes, Primary, Secondary and University education. Other curricula include adult education, driver education, mechanic, welding and computer as well as empowerment among others.
In 2012, First Lady Janet Museveni who is also the Minister for Education commissioned educational institutions of the project to administer training in various vocational skills. She says the institutions are already transforming post conflict northern Uganda through capacity building.
Some 140 orphaned children gathered from nine districts in Acholi and Lango sub regions are currently studying in Restoration Gateway schools.
Majority of patients diagnosed with heart, kidney and brain diseases in Uganda are referred for specialised treatment in India and the United States of America due to prohibitive costs of assembling the required equipment and experts.
