State Minister Margaret Muhanga has said the construction of the International Specialized Hospital of Uganda in Lubowa is on course and that it will partially open its doors to clients and patients in 2025.
"I can confirm that by 2025, the hospital will partially open," Minister Muhanga stated.
She was visiting the hospital.
During her visit, Minister Muhanga met Enrica Pinetti, a key figure in the hospital's development, who she said "was surprisingly calm and happy, contrary to her usual combative" demeanor.
The International Specialized Hospital of Uganda is a public-private partnership project aimed at providing specialized medical care to Ugandans and reducing the need for overseas treatment.
The hospital, situated on 30 acres of land in Lubowa, will have 264 beds and offer various medical and surgical services, including organ transplants, neurosurgical operations, cancer treatment, orthopedic surgery, and cardiac operations.
The project has faced concerns over its cost, estimated at $397 million, which is significantly higher than similar hospitals in Uganda.
However, the government expects the hospital to provide quality healthcare and reduce medical tourism expenses.
Minister Muhanga's update brings optimism to Ugandans awaiting improved healthcare services. As she emphasized, "Let's be a little patient" until the hospital's partial opening in 2025.