Mukono municipality asks health ministry to take over Rotary hospital

Mukono, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Mukono municipality authorities have asked the Ministry of Health to take over the management of the Rotary Hospital located at Ngandu, Mukono Central Division.

The 2 billion Shillings facility was constructed by the Rotary Club of Kampala on 10-acres of land donated to Rotary in 1996, by the late Rotarian George Kasedde Mukasa for the Club to implement a community service project. Upon its completion last year, the land was handed over to Mukono municipality for effective management.

The hospital is designed with an outpatient department, administration block and specialized clinics, operating theatre, female, male and children wards and currently offers primary health care services for the community at a subsidised cost.

But the Municipal Mayor Elisa Mukasa Nkoyoyo says that the municipality does not have the capacity to manage the facility, as well as facilitate medical workers and support staff. He adds that the facility needs more equipment, especially in the emergency department and medical supplies which he says should ideally come directly from the National Medical Stores.

But James Kayiira, a resident at Nabuti in Mukono Central Division says the facility can be used for specialized treatment on cases requiring referrals instead of taking patients to Naguru, Mulago and other facilities within Kampala and Wakiso districts. He notes that this can be possible once the government accepts to equip it.

Meanwhile, other leaders in Mukono suggest that the facility be put under the management of Mukono General Hospital and be treated as a private wing. Rev. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa, the Mukono district chairperson says several people seek private services from outside Mukono and such a facility is crucial for specialized assurance.

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