UGANDA, Jinja | Real Muloodi News | The Jinja Regional Referral Hospital (JRRH) board of directors officially petitioned the Ministry of Health regarding the escalating cases of land encroachment, asserting that such actions are impeding the institution’s advancement initiatives.
Dr. Charles David Mukisa, the board chairman, highlighted numerous acres in Nalufenya, located in the suburbs of Jinja city, which were initially designated for the hospital’s use through a donation from the Madhvani Group of Companies.
However, these lands have now fallen victim to encroachment by certain individuals.
Dr Mukisa emphasised a longstanding conflict between the regional referral hospital and the Muslim community in Jinja over a parcel of land neighbouring the hospital.
“We had plans to construct staff housing units, but this project has been halted due to the encroachment issue. We urge government intervention,” stated Dr. Mukisa during the inaugural ceremony of the new hospital board on Wednesday, 28th February, 2024.
Minister of State for Health, Anifa Kawooya, who graced the event as the chief guest, encouraged board members to foster transparency, consultation, and teamwork in collaboration with the hospital management throughout their tenure.
She urged them to uphold high standards of integrity and accountability while condemning corruption and undue influence.
Responding to calls for a cancer centre at the referral hospital, Minister Kawooya outlined the Ministry’s plan to establish such units at regional referral hospitals, starting with Gulu, Mbarara, and Mbale, with further expansions planned for all regions. This initiative aims to alleviate congestion at the Uganda Cancer Institute located at Mulago Hospital.
Accompanied by Dr Joseph Okware, the director of health services responsible for governance and regulation at the ministry, Minister Kawooya assured that the concerns raised would be duly addressed. Dr. Mukisa reiterated that establishing a blood bank at the hospital stands as a top priority for the board to mitigate fatalities resulting from blood shortages.
Additionally, he proposed that the ministry consider transforming Nalufenya Children’s Hospital, the pediatric wing of Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, into a national referral hospital specialising in pediatric cases.
The eleven-member board, led by Dr. Mukisa, was sworn in by Jinja Grade One Magistrate, Linda Nakalema. The board is poised to work diligently to address the challenges facing Jinja Hospital while striving to enhance healthcare delivery within the region.
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