BY K F MALE
In a move to revolutionize Uganda’s healthcare sector, Uganda Martyrs Hospital, Lubaga, wants to be accredited by the Ministry of Health to conduct organ transplant operations.
Dr. Julius Luyimbaazi, the Executive Director of the hospital when speaking during the commemoration ceremony of the hospital’s 125th anniversary, highlighted the hospital’s readiness and robust infrastructure for organ transplant procedures.
With the completion of the organ transplant center slated for August 2023, Lubaga Hospital is poised to become a beacon of hope for patients in need of life-saving transplants.
Dr. Luyimbaazi also explained that Lubaga Hospital’s accreditation journey is further supported by its recent recognition from the Council of Health Care Services Accreditation of South Africa (COHSASA), solidifying its status as a paragon of quality healthcare in the region.
This prestigious accreditation reaffirms the hospital’s adherence to international standards across all its operations, setting a benchmark for excellence in healthcare provision.
During the same event, Dr. Sam Orach, the Executive Secretary of the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau, emphasized the need for the government to increase its contribution to faith-based health facilities.
He urged the minister to consider raising the allocation from the current 0.8 percent to 1.5 percent, emphasizing that these institutions contribute up to 30 percent of the country’s health indicators services output.
He also urged the minister to expedite the legal processes of the national health insurance and incorporate community health schemes into the same law
In response to the hospital’s commendable initiative, the Minister of Health in charge of general duties Hanifa Bangirana Kawooya assured stakeholders of the government’s support in expediting the accreditation process, emphasizing the importance of ensuring access to advanced medical services for all Ugandans.
Furthermore, Archbishop Ssemwogerere lauded Lubaga Hospital’s exemplary legacy of compassionate care, echoing the sentiment that healthcare is not just a profession but a divine calling to serve humanity.
Through its enduring commitment to healing the sick, Lubaga Hospital exemplifies the teachings of compassion and altruism espoused by Jesus Christ.
Established in 1899 as the second health facility in Uganda, Lubaga Hospital has remained steadfast in its commitment to providing top-notch medical care to its communities.