Give Mulago Hospital attention it deserves

On Tuesday, the executive director of Mulago National Referral Hospital, Dr Baterana Byarugaba, revealed that the facility requires at least $9.5m (about Shs35b) to cater for the last phase of the renovation work aimed at turning it into a super-specialised hospital.
The works at Mulago commenced in October 2014. At the time, the nation was told that the African Development Bank (AfDB) had approved $50m to cater for the work. Out of the $50m, $29m was meant for the physical works and $20m for procuring and installing ultramodern equipment. Work was meant to be undertaken in 24 months. The work is more than 24 months behind schedule.
Over the last three years, there have been more than four extensions to the date of completion because government has not been able to make funds available to the contractors. This raises very serious questions.
Why is the government unable to put money on the table? What was the $50m meant for this modernisation spent on? The public needs answers and needs them fast. The public also needs some clarity on how much is needed to get the work done.

In February, the State Minister for Health, Ms Sarah Opendi, put the required figure at $6.5m, but on Tuesday the hospital’s executive director put the figure at $9.5m! Which is which? Why the discrepancies?
It is bothersome that Mulago’s issues are not being handled with the seriousness they deserve. In February when minister Opendi made public the need for additional funds, the Director for Budgeting in the Ministry of Finance, Mr Kenneth Mugambe, said the Health ministry’s request for supplementary funding is being scrutinised, but not a word has since been heard from the Ministry of Finance! This smacks of a lack of seriousness, which is unacceptable.

Everyone must appreciate that delayed completion of works at Mulago has piled pressure on the few operational areas there as well as on Kiruddu and Kawempe hospitals, which is affecting service delivery and training of medical students all of which will have a big impact on the nation.
The public needs to see some seriousness on the part of government officials and Members of Parliament (MPs). Last month MPs and Ministry of Finance officials were quite enthusiastic about ensuring that a private investor got a guarantee of $379m (Shs1.4 trillion) to facilitate a specialised hospital in Lubowa.
Should those officials and MPs not be exhibiting as much or more enthusiasm for Mulago to get public funds for its completion? The patriots must stand up.