Prime Minsiter Robinah Nabbanja has directed the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to urgently release funds to recruit specialist doctors at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
The directive follows a review meeting with hospital management and officials from the Ministry of Health to address funding gaps affecting service delivery at the country’s largest referral hospital.
Hospital officials highlighted a critical shortage, noting that Mulago currently requires at least 103 specialist doctors to strengthen clinical services and improve patient care.
“I have directed the Ministry of Finance to urgently work with the Ministry of Health and ensure the necessary funds are released so that these specialists can be recruited,” Nabbanja said.
According to the Ministry of Health, more than Shs9 billion is needed to facilitate recruitment and support the deployed specialists. A Finance Ministry representative confirmed that the government is collaborating with the Prime Minister’s office to allocate the required resources.
Nabbanja also stressed the hospital’s vital role during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that Mulago served all Ugandans regardless of social or economic status.
“During COVID-19, everyone — rich or poor — ran to Mulago. That alone shows why this hospital must be properly facilitated,” she said.
Meanwhile, Diana Atwine revealed that the United Arab Emirates government plans to construct a specialized hospital in Entebbe as part of efforts to strengthen the national healthcare system.
The Ministry of Health has been tasked with fast-tracking the recruitment process once funds are released, a move expected to improve specialist care and overall service delivery at Mulago, which manages some of Uganda’s most complex medical cases.