Focus on patient safety first not money, minister tells medics

The minister for health in charge of general duties Hanifa Kawooya has urged doctors and nurses at Kawempe National Referral hospital to focus on safety of patients first but not money.

She said that from her experience, her sister was referred to Kawempe from another facility, but her safety was not taken as a priority.

“I didn’t have simple words for Kawempe Hospital because my sister was operated from here where she was a stage IV cancer patient… What were you operating? Did you see her documents…and this patient was supposed to be referred to cancer institute,” Kawooya lamented while presiding over the swearing in of new board members of Kawempe National Referral Hospital.

She added that her office had received very many complainants from patients about the hospital but urged the doctors and the facility’s entire management to improve service delivery.

“Patients have rights that are non-derogatory. I appeal to Kawempe Hospital Management not to focus on money but on patients,” Kawooya noted. 

Kawempe Hospital board new chairperson Dr Christine Baryabalema vowed focus on development of a five-year strategic plan in line with Uganda’s vision 2040.

“Infrastructure development and maintenance is another big challenge for Kawempe Hospital. In the last board, the hospital has identified land and Kampala Capital City Authority had gone far to open the boarders and it was presented through the permanent secretary of the ministry of Health, but we haven’t heard anything about it and Kawempe seats on one acre space,” she observed on Wednesday.

The new board is serving its second 3-year term and Dr Baryabalema appealed for heightened funding to empower human resource and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship within the hospital.

Kawempe Hospital board

· Dr Christine Baryabalema – Chairperson

· Dr Emmanuel Byaruhanga – Board Secretary

· Dr Richard Mugahe - Board Member

· Prof Josephat Byamugisha - Board Member

· Dr Margret Nakaketo - Board Member

· Mr Bisereko Kyomuhendo - Board Member

· Eng Stephen Sam - Board Member

· Mr Wistone Manzi - Board Member

Ex- Official members

· Dr Simon Aisiah Cheplot

· Ms Atim Goreti Mary

· Mr Geofery Bakabale

· Ms Mary Kabogo

· Ms Christine Mugoya Nabbanja.