Let us build a well equipped hospital that can cater for all Ugandans

In the past few days, it has been reported that at least two senior cabinet ministers have been flown out of the country for specialised treatment. I assume those ministers are being cared for at the expense of Ugandan taxpayers.

The same taxpayers who are enduring a rotten public health system, dogged by drug and supplies theft, collapsing infrastructure and demoralised health workers. Our political leaders are shunning our public health facilities as a clear vote of no confidence in those services.

They are joining a growing section of our population who prefer private health practitioners.

At least our political leaders have a safety net in flying abroad for treatment. But the big question is that can we afford the ever increasing cost of caring for our aging and now ailing cabinet and political leadership? But are we completely hopeless as a nation? I think not!

We can start by building and equipping a military hospital where our political leaders can receive expert and yet secure medical attention.

If the UPDF can operate a hospital in Mogadishu, they can surely do even better within our borders! I believe it would be safer and much cheaper for our leaders to get treatment at a well equipped military hospital in, say, Moroto, than one in Tel Aviv! The time to act is now!
Masokoyih Watiti,
masokoyihw@yahoo.co.uk