The Bank of Uganda has donated 17 patient monitors worth Shs250 million to the Ministry of Health, aiming to strengthen maternal and critical care services and reduce preventable deaths in health facilities across the country.
The equipment, destined for selected Health Center IVs and general hospitals, will support the establishment of High Dependency Units (HDUs) for critically ill patients.
At a handover ceremony, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine said the monitors would significantly improve patient outcomes by enabling continuous tracking of vital signs.
“The monitor is there speaking on behalf of the patient to the clinician every minute. As long as it is connected to the patient, it provides vital information about the status of the body,” Dr. Atwine said. She added that the devices would allow early detection of complications, particularly for mothers and newborns in critical condition.
“The quality of care lies in how patients are monitored. These machines will help us improve post-operative care and support mothers and young children who are in critical conditions.”
Uganda’s maternal mortality ratio currently stands at 189 deaths per 100,000 live births, down from 336 per 100,000 in previous years, highlighting the importance of strengthened monitoring systems in ongoing efforts to save lives.
Speaking on behalf of the central bank, Secretary Susan Kanyemibwa said the donation reflects Bank of Uganda’s commitment to improving maternal and child health through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.
“While Bank of Uganda is known for promoting price stability and a sound financial system, we also believe that economic progress must be matched by human wellbeing. A thriving nation must also be a healthy nation,” she said.
Kanyemibwa noted that the bank’s health-focused CSR program began in 2016 during its Golden Jubilee celebrations, inspired by the late Governor Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, whose personal experiences motivated safe motherhood initiatives.
Since then, the bank has supported 13 health facilities by donating medical equipment and constructing maternity wards in districts including Mbarara, Gulu, Masaka, Kabale, Jinja, and Hoima.
The latest donation was approved by Governor Michael Atingi Ego following a request from the Ministry of Health.
“These monitors are more than just screens. They are silent protectors watching over patients when they cannot speak, giving health workers real-time information and enabling intervention when every second counts,” Kanyemibwa said.
The contribution forms part of the Corporate Society for Safe Motherhood, a partnership between government, corporate institutions, and civil society aimed at reducing maternal mortality.
Officials noted that the monitors would enhance acute care services, maternal health units, and neonatal care, particularly in lower-level health facilities where emergency cases are frequently handled.
The donation also coincides with the Bank of Uganda’s preparations to mark 60 years of existence, with health sector partnerships forming a key part of its anniversary initiatives.