Army breaks ground for Shs100b referral hospital
As part of the activities to mark this year's 37th annual Tarehe Sita celebrations, the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs has held the ground breaking ceremony for building the military referral hospital.
The function was held at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Mbuya on Saturday morning.
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The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs Adolf Mwesigye noted the hospital is a big addition to government's efforts in improving the health services in the country.
"The hospital will handle complicated, emergency and referred cases from health centres and Military hospitals that would otherwise have required being handled abroad or in private hospitals,"Mwesigye said.
"This will go a long way in providing specialised and high quality medical care to the UPDF and their families as well as saving resources on treatment abroad."
The defence minister noted that the military referral hospital will complement the services of Mulago Hospital at National Level as well as serving as a money generating venture to both the army and government.
Jane Ruth Aceng, the Minister of Health commended the UPDF for being always available to provide health care in times of emergencies and in also areas where they are deployed to work.
During the previous doctors strike last year, the army deployed its doctors to treat patients.
The health minister said this heart from the UPDF was commendable.
The UPDF Chief of Defence Forces Gen David Muhoozi said that the construction of the referral hospital will greatly improve the welfare of soldiers and their families.
Also present at the function included the Minister of State for Defence , Col (Rtd)Charles Engola, Ag Permanent Secretary Mrs Edith Buturo, the UPDF Joint Chief of Staff Maj Gen Joseph Musanyufu and other Ministry of Defence and UPDF Senior Officers.
The construction of the hospital will approximately take a period of three years to complete at an estimated cost of 123 billion shillings.
According to officials from the Defence Ministry, the 250 bed state of the art referral hospital is to be constructed from funds which are part of savings made out of reimbursements to Uganda by the United Nations for the country's wear and tear of its equipment in Somalia under the AMISOM.
The hospital will also treat Uganda's soldiers injured in foreign missions like Somalia and Central African Republic.
Ugandan soldiers injured in Somalia are currently treated at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi.
The hospital will also treat civilians and will add to Bombo military hospital which is also a referral.
