Africa-Press – Uganda. The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament has expressed deep concern over the state of infrastructure at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital.
The hospital’s officials, led by Director Dr. Peter Mukobi, appeared before the committee to provide accountability for funds received in the financial year 2023/2024.
The committee members noted that 50% of the hospital’s structures were constructed as far back as 1932 and are now dilapidated, posing a significant risk to both patients and medical staff.
“The state of infrastructure at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital is a ticking time bomb,” said a committee member. “We cannot continue to put the lives of patients and staff at risk.”
The hospital’s officials were also faulted for discrepancies in the quantity and quality of essential medicines and health supplies delivered by the National Medical Stores. “We were unable to provide evidence of the essential medicine supplied to the hospital,” admitted Dr. Mukobi.
The committee also observed that the hospital had failed to utilize a warrant totaling shs1.4 billion.
“Out of the shs16 billion warranted to the hospital in the year under review, only shs14.4 billion was spent, leaving a balance of shs1.4 billion ,” said a committee member. “This is a clear case of underutilization of funds, which denied services to the people.”
Lira Regional Referral Hospital, which also appeared before the committee, was faulted for diverting 100 million shillings and storing medicines on the floor due to lack of a proper store.
“The state of the medicine store at Lira Hospital is appalling,” said a committee member. “Medicines were being stored on the floor, and the store had no windows. This is unacceptable.”
The Public Accounts Committee’s inquiry into the affairs of Gulu and Lira Regional Referral Hospitals highlights the need for urgent action to address the infrastructure and management challenges facing these institutions.
The hospitals’ officials must prioritize the safety and well-being of patients and staff by addressing the dilapidated infrastructure and improving their management systems.
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