Concerns over stalled healthcare projects in Mbale

MBALE | 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.

The 260-bed capacity project, aimed at addressing the infrastructural gap at the referral hospital, remains incomplete despite initial construction efforts dating back to 2016. This fate cuts across similar projects in 12 other regional referral hospitals countrywide.

Serving approximately 4.5 million people across 16 districts in eastern Uganda, Mbale RRH stands as one of the busiest regional hospitals in the country.

The envisioned surgical complex was designed to include seven new wards, nine operating theatres, a casualty ward, and a 20-bed intensive care unit (ICU), intending to expand the hospital's capacity to provide specialist surgical services.

The project is funded by the government of Uganda under capital development fund.

Challenges and concerns

Despite the crucial need for enhanced healthcare infrastructure, stakeholders have expressed dismay over the persistent funding challenges hindering the completion of the surgical complex.

The absence of a fully functioning ICU has had dire consequences, particularly for mothers and children, depriving them of access to intensive care and leading to preventable deaths.

Mbale City Mayor, Cassim Namugali, lamented the overwhelming demand for healthcare services, with patients forced to lie on the floor due to limited space.

Meanwhile, Mbale District Chairperson, Muhamad Mafabi, urged regional Members of Parliament to advocate for funding to expedite the project's completion in the upcoming financial year.

Current status and efforts

While the first phase of construction concluded in October 2018, and the second phase completed in 202, progress remains impeded by a funding deficit.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, additional funds were allocated to advance work in the ICU; however, the lack of sustained funding has led to another halt in progress.

Internal blockwork and finishing have been completed in the ICU in addition to installation of specialized healthcare equipment.

However, outstanding work on the ICU includes the final fixtures of electricity and plumbing fittings.

External work to connect the whole building to services such as main power, and water main connection, is necessary for the ICU to begin operating.

Overall, some internal blockwork has been completed on the ground floor but the remaining flours remain empty shells with external blockwork only.

Call to action

An estimated total cost of UGX 17 billion is required for the completion of the entire project, out of which 4.2 billion is necessary for the completion and functionalization of the ICU alone according to reports.

Dr. Stephen Obbo, Director of Mbale Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH), revealed that the hospital did not receive any capital development funds this year to complete the surgical complex.

However, amidst financial limitations, the Ministry of Health has identified Shs2.4 billion towards the completion of the ICU and radiology complex on the first floor of the facility.

In 2023, a proposal surfaced to enlist the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) engineering brigade to undertake the third phase of the project. However, there has been no visible progress on the ground, leaving stakeholders dismayed over the lack of continuation of work.

Compounding the issue is the government's pressing need for 79 billion Ugandan Shillings to complete stalled infrastructure projects in 13 regional referral hospitals nationwide.

While these funds are crucial for improving healthcare access and quality, concerns have emerged regarding the government's allocation of resources to new initiatives, such as the introduction of assistant resident district/city commissioners to the government administrative structure adding a financial hemorrhage to the national treasury and sustained delays in completion of such critical projects.

For instance, funds needed to complete the surgical complex at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital alone are equivalent to one year's salary for newly introduced Assistant Resident District Commissioners.

The plight of Mbale RRH highlights the pressing need for sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure to meet the growing demands of the population.

As stakeholders rally for government action, the completion of the surgical complex stands as a pivotal step towards ensuring access to quality healthcare services and averting preventable deaths in the region.