Museveni applauds Pakistani investors for offering to upgrade Masaka Regional Hospital
Museveni receiving Prof Awais Raoof at Nakaseero state lodge. Looking on is Pakistani consul in Uganda Bonny Katatumba
KAMPALA.
President Museveni has warmly welcomed the intentions of Pakistani entrepreneurs who have expressed interest in investing in the Ugandan medical sector by establishing a private University College in Masaka district.
The President told the delegation who called on him at State House, Nakasero on Monday, that their idea is good and once the facility is completed, will go a long way in contributing to the needed improvement in the health sector of Uganda.
According to a statement from State House, the president advised the delegation, who were led by the Pakistani Consul in Uganda, Mr. Bonney Katatumba, to work hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Health to fast-track the project.
Prof. Awaise Raoof, who is the Chairman Board of Governors Pakistani University of Lahore said their investment project in Masaka will include; building a diagnostic centre, a cardiac centre and upgrading Masaka Regional Hospital in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] with the Government of Uganda.
He observed that the establishment of the facility in Masaka will greatly benefit the people of Uganda because the services that Ugandans have been seeking by travelling abroad will be accessible within the country.
“With the establishment of the cardiac surgery centre and diagnostic centre in Masaka, people who used to go abroad for the above services, will begin to access it here within the country”, he said.
The work will be done in phases, according to Prof. Raoof ,starting with a diagnostic centre, a cardiac centre and a medical college that will use Masaka Hospital as a teaching facility .The University of Lahore is expected to inject an initial investment of $10m and construction work is expected to commence later this year, Prof. Raoof said.
Prof. Syed Amir Gilani, dean Faculty of Allied Health University of Lahore also attended the meeting.
The University of Lahore has already supported the establishment of a medical school at Islamic University in Uganda, Kampala campus in partnership with the Organisation of Islamic Corporation (OIC).Recently, Dr Ahmed Ssengendo, the rector IUIU revealed that medical courses will begin this year starting with Bachelor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of medicine among others.
