The Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng has said Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital requires a total of Shs53.8 billion to become fully operational.
The facility, constructed on a Shs100 billion loan which was obtained from Islamic Development Bank (IDB) was commissioned by President Museveni in October last year.
However, it has not been fully embraced although it was fully equipped with highly specialized health care equipment in the areas of imaging, laboratory (DNA, Hematology and Chemistry analyzers, IVF equipment and Hemoglobin electrophoresis), Surgery (laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, surgical sets and endoscopies) and critical care equipment (ventilators, defibrillators, patient monitors) at a cost of Shs26.7bn.
While presenting a report on the state of health service delivery in the country before the
Parliament on Tuesday, Aceng revealed that the 450-bed specialized hospital requires a total of Shs53.8 billion to become fully operational.
She said that her ministry already requested for the said money from the Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development but they only provided Shs4.8bn Financial 2018/19 for the recurrent Non-wage.
“Honorables this money will cater for wages that is Shs11bn, re-current Non-wages Shs29bn and Capital development Shs13.8bn,” Aceng said.
She added this money is needed urgently since currently, the facility depends on Mulago National Referral Hospital for a human resource which has caused a strain on the operations of Mulago.
Meanwhile, on the completion of the facility, the minister said it requires Shs36 billion but will also require Shs76bn as operational funds. This also includes recruitment of additional expatriates.
The minister added that once the hospital is completed it will provide specialized services including organ transplant (neuro-spinal surgery, kidney, cornea, liver, bone marrow, and stem cell).
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