Hospitals on call during Christmas

As the year gets to a close, everyone rushes to their loved ones but in the medical world, there must always be someone on duty to attend to emergencies.
Besides the unforeseen occurrences, Christmas comes with newly –born-babies as well as the start of the year. These babies must be delivered by skilled midwives. On that note, Daily monitor brings you a list of hospitals open during the festive season to guide your on where to assess medical care services in case of need.

Mulago National Referral Hospital
Although currently under renovation, the hospital will be open to cater for all the medical needs of Ugandans. Mr Enoch Kusasiira, the hospital spokesperson, says the hospital will be working for 24 hours with all nurses, doctors, midwives and surgeons at all the service points.
International Hospital Kampala (IHK), in Kisugu-Namuwongo. According to the medical director, Dr Andrew Sekitoleko, the hospital will be operating full-time during the festive season. “We shall be operating normally, our medical consultation services, medical emergencies, maternity care, 24-hour ambulance services, radiography and all others departments will be open,” Dr Sekitoleko says.

Aga Khan University Hospital

The health facility has medical and diagnostic centres in Kampala including: Aga Khan Medical Centre on Kampala Road, Bugolobi Medical Centre on Spring Road, Metroplex Medical Centre in Naalya and Acacia Medical Centre in Kisementi. The medical centres, all outpatient clinics, will be operational in the festive season except on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and on New Year’s Day.
All with laboratories and pharmacies, the clinics offer a wide range of services, including neuro rehabilitation, electrotherapy, therapeutic exercises, sports medicine management, respiratory therapy, orthopedic assessment and treatment, musculoskeletal, dental services, radiography, Utra sound services among others.

Case Medical Centre

Located on Buganda Road in Kampala, the centre will remain open during the festive season. Services offered include maternity care, general medical consultations, and 24-hour emergence ambulance services.

Kampala Capital City Authority’s Health Facilities

All health facilities run by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) will be operational during the festive season apart from Kawempe and Kiruddu Health Centres which are undergoing construction. KCCA health facilities include Kisenyi, Namuwogo Health Centre, Naguru Health Centre, Kawaala, Komamboga Health Centre III, City Hall Clinic and Kitebi.

AAR Health Services
According to Ms Linda Wesila, the case manager at AAR Health Services, all the clinics and insurance services providers are available and operational during this festive season. “No service provider has communicated, saying they will not be available,” Ms Wesila says.

Nakasero Hospital, on Akia Bua Road.
According to Mr Bumari Kalibala from the human resource department, the hospital is open for its clients during the festive season, offering its services as usual. The hospital offers both inpatient and outpatient medical services.

Mengo Hospital

The faith-based hospital will be open to its patients during the festive season, apart from Dental and optic services. It is located on Namirembe Hill in Rubaga Division.

Outside Kampala
In case of an emergency while out of Kampala, seek medical attention from the regional referral hospitals, faith based hospitals and district hospitals and health centre IVs.