UGANDA, Mbale | Real Muloodi News | The Uganda Peoples Defense Forces-UPDF engineering brigade has been tasked with the completion of the third phase of the surgical complex at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital.
The surgical complex construction commenced in 2016 and was scheduled to be completed in September 2020.
However, it stalled for two years after the contract of Global Network Construction Company Limited was terminated.
According to Patrick Akomera, the Principal Hospital Administrator, the designs for the complex are being developed by a consultant who will work and guide the UPDF engineering brigade.
The surgical complex will have a capacity of 300 beds, nine theatres and an intensive care unit.
Once completed, the surgical complex will help to address the shortage of space in the hospital and enable the hospital to handle a larger number of clients, particularly surgical services such as emergencies and accidents.
The hospital administrator attributed the slow construction to inadequate funds released by the government and the outbreak of Covid-19.
The government had initially allocated a budget of USh5 billion every financial year for the project but this was later reduced to 2 billion.
Additionally, the capital development fund has not been released for a long period.
The land on which the proposed surgical complex is being built initially hosted the casualty ward and the Out Patient Department which were demolished. This reduced the available space for patients and has caused congestion in the hospital, given the high number of patients the hospital serves.
The surgical complex is a significant project in addressing the challenges facing Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. It is hoped that once it is completed, it will provide adequate space and equipment for surgical procedures and improve the quality of care for patients.
The UPDF engineering brigade’s involvement is a positive step towards the completion of the surgical complex, and it is expected that they will complete the project efficiently and effectively.
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